In April 1942, a group of 7 B-25s and 3 B-17s from Australia returned to Del Monte for the Royce Mission, to attack the Japanese on three bombing missions. On April 12, B-25s hit the harbor and shipping at Cebu, Cebu Island while B-17s carried out single-bomber strikes against Cebu harbor and Nichols Field on Luzon. On 13 April B-25s hit targets in the Philippines for the second consecutive day. The B-25s took off just after midnight and bombed shipping at Cebu and installations at Davao on Mindanao. Later in the day the B-25s again attacked Davao, bombing the dock area.

Del Monte Airfield


The advancing Japanese forced their return to Australia. In addition to the raids, they brought out a number of important military and diplomatic personnel who had gathered at Del Monte to await evacuation. The last of the 24th Pursuit Group's aircraft were captured or destroyed by enemy forces on or about May 1, 1942 when the airfield was abandoned by the United States, leaving its facilities to the Japanese invaders.

Del Monte Airfield


Del Monte Airfield today

Del Monte Airfield


The complex was not used by the United States or Philippine Commonwealth armed forces during the Philippines Campaign (1944–45), and the airfields were returned to the Del Monte Pineapple Corporation.

Del Monte Airfield


MacArthur evacuation memorial at the site of the Del Monte Field, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Philippines,

Del Monte Airfield


The present-day airstrip of the Del Monte company, built for their light aircraft, is about two miles south of the wartime airfield. Both #1 (Main) and #2 (Fighter) fields have become rice paddies and cornfields, a dirt road being the only trace of their wartime purpose. As of October 2013, The Del Monte Airfield is closed to general aviation, but ultralight aircraft, paramotor aircraft from paramotor flying school of Kampo Juan eco resort, and radio-controlled aircraft enthusiasts from nearby Cagayan de Oro city use the airfield with the approval of the Del Monte management.

Del Monte Airfield


The Gen. Douglas MacArthur Landmark was erected by the Rotary Club of Northern Bukidnon in Barangay Dicklum to mark the site of Del Monte Field.

Del Monte Airfield


United States Army Air Forces in the South West Pacific Theatre

Del Monte Airfield


This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

Del Monte Airfield


Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.

Del Monte Airfield


United States Army in World War II The Fall of the Philippines

Del Monte Airfield


"Pow 2011" (often capitalized as POW 2011 or POW! 2011) is a song by grime MC Lethal Bizzle, featuring fellow grime artists Jme, Wiley, Chipmunk, Face, P Money, Ghetts and Kano – who are usually credited as 'Grime All Stars'. The song is a sequel of Lethal Bizzle's hit single "Pow! (Forward)" which was released in 2004. "Pow 2011" was released as a single on 6 February 2011 for digital download and was produced by Teddy, also known as Silencer. It was the first single from Bizzle's compilation album, Best of Bizzle. Soccer AM used the song for the background music to a part of the show called "Frimponged".

Pow 2011


The song was premiered by Tim Westwood on 18 November 2010. Each artist who is on the song wrote their own verse. The re-make is produced by Teddy, also known as Silencer – whose trademark is heard at the beginning of the song. He stated that he decided to re-make the original Pow beat, and make it "Teddy-style".

Pow 2011


It was announced by Lethal Bizzle on Twitter that he would be re-releasing "Pow!" on 13 December 2010, to try to get the Christmas number 1 in the UK Singles Chart, like many people were trying to do by using Facebook campaigns. On 18 November 2010, Lethal was interviewed by Grime Daily. Bizzle revealed: "The whole Pow 2011 thing started as a joke. I was on Twitter one day and I said 'You know what? Pow for Christmas number 1'. And bare people retweeted it and someone was like 'Bizz you should do an updated version to go with it.'" Lethal (saying to another source) said: "I felt the original was still relevant, 6 years on it's still one of the biggest club tunes, so it was kind of a no brainer. I was messing around on Twitter about doing a new POW and getting it to the top of the charts- and the reaction was so crazy I thought wow I actually have to make this happen..."

Pow 2011


Lethal then discussed how the collaborations came together, saying that he was not serious about recreating Pow at first: "Wiley phoned me from Australia or Jamaica, he was in another country somewhere – and he was goin' "bruv, what's this about you doing another Pow? I wanna be on it!" When I said I was joking he was like "No! Biz, you have to do it." Then some 1Xtra DJ called me and said "bruv, you need to do that!" I was just like "are you bein' serious?" Then I thought alright, I'll phone a few people, see who's on it. So I phoned Jme, he's like "yup, I'm on it, 1000%", I phoned Chipmunk, he's like "yup, I'm on it, 1000%". I was just like rah, people really want this!"

Pow 2011


Lethal said that there were other people who he asked to do a verse but were taking too long. Other Grime artists, Sway and Maxsta were originally supposed to be on the final version. Bizzle was also going to ask Tempa T (also known as Tempz) to do a verse but was touring with Chase & Status. Rumours went around that Chipmunk told Bizzle to not put Maxsta on but Bizzle declined those rumours. Kano, another Grime artist that is featured on Pow 2011, recorded a 16-bar rap – when originally everyone was expected to do an 8-bar. Sway recorded his verse but decided that he was not going to be on the song because of Kano's verse being a 16-bar. Sway did, however, record his own version containing 72-bars, named Wow 2011, which he uploaded on his YouTube channel. Kano also released an extended solo version of his verse for free download via SoundCloud, which he dubbed the 'Dench Edition'.

Pow 2011


The music video was uploaded to YouTube on 24 December 2010 and is directed by Carly Cussen, who has directed other music videos for 360 Records since the age of 17 (notably Tinie Tempah's early debut, "Wifey"). The storyline focuses on all the artists (except for Wiley, who is not in the video, however a picture of him is shown during his verse) successfully robbing a vault full of money. The police split up and chase after each of them. In the behind-the-scenes video, Bizzle described the storyline briefly; "We're trying to make some money with this big plot while breaking in the vault. Everyone's got their own role to play in terms of trying to get the 10 million pounds."

Pow 2011


Lethal Bizzle plays the look-out, Jme being the distraction (who is captured and interrogated, then escapes), Chipmunk and Face collect the money and P Money plays the getaway driver. Two vans are shown – one with the money and one without (in order to fool the police). Ghetts drives the distraction van during his verse, who is then cornered. The policemen open the back of the van showing a goat. The van with the money, which is being driven by P Money, stops at a warehouse where Kano is shown hiding the bags of money. The rest of them arrive, take the bags, put them in the van and drive off – with some parts showing the van with the goat, along with the confused policemen. During Wiley's verse, Jme is shown being further interrogated and all the artists together outside the vault. Other scenes include Bizzle rapping alone outside the vault and at some points all of the artists together as shown during Wiley's verse.

Pow 2011


While talking about the video and Carly Cussen, Bizzle said: "..;it was all her idea. Amazing, it was so funny – when we had the meeting, and she was like "OK I've got this idea" I'm sat there like cool. She says "basically there's gonna be police; police chases, we're gonna rob a bank, we're gonna be on top of a roof..." I was like is this girl being serious? Then she done a script and got all the locations and somehow we did it man! Incredible and yeah, me and her are working together to do the whole sequel thing, so look out for that!"

Pow 2011


"POW 2011" (Radio Edit) – 3:00 *

Pow 2011


"POW 2011" (Big Beats Productions Remix) (Radio Edit) – 3:23 *

Pow 2011


"POW 2011" (Original Edit) – 3:43

Pow 2011


"POW 2011" (Original Edit Instrumental) – 3:43 *

Pow 2011


"POW 2011" (Big Beats Productions Remix) – 4:30

Pow 2011


"POW 2011" (Original Edit) – 3:43 *

Pow 2011


"POW 2011" (Accapella Original Edit) – 3:29 *

Pow 2011


"POW 2011" (Big Beats Productions Remix) – 4:30 *

Pow 2011


"POW 2011" (Skream Murky Mix) – 3:41 *

Pow 2011


* – explicit version.

Pow 2011


The Act of 5th November of 1916 was a declaration of Emperors Wilhelm II of Germany and Franz Joseph of Austria. This act promised the creation of the Kingdom of Poland out of territory of Congress Poland, envisioned by its authors as a puppet state controlled by the Central Powers. The origin of that document was the dire need to draft new recruits from German-occupied Poland for the war with Russia. Even though the act itself expressed very little in concrete terms, its declaration is regarded as one of main factors in the Polish efforts to regain independence. Despite official statements, the German Empire really planned to annex up to 30,000 km2 of prewar Congress Poland, with expulsion of between 2 and 3 million Poles and Jews out of these territories to make room for German settlers.

Act of 5th November


Creation of the Provisional Council of State

Act of 5th November


Following the declaration, on 6 December 1916, the Provisional Council of State was created, with Waclaw Niemojowski as its president, and Józef Piłsudski as chairman of its Military Commission. Units of the Polish Military Organisation were put under management of the Provisional Council of State, but the council itself had very limited authority and, after the oath crisis, was disbanded in August 1917. It was followed by the Temporary Committee of the Provisional Council of State (Komisja Przejściowa Tymczasowej Rady Stanu) and then by the Regency Council.

Act of 5th November


Plans for an independent Polish state by Italy, Russia, and the United States

Act of 5th November


The Act of 5th November had a wide impact among the Allies of World War I. In December 1916, the Italian Parliament supported the independence of Poland, and in early 1917, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia  returned to the idea of independent Poland, tied in a union with the Russian Empire that Russian officials proposed already in 1914. At the same time, US President Woodrow Wilson also publicly expressed his support of a free Polish state.

Act of 5th November


Proto state for the Second Polish Republic

Act of 5th November


Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918 ending the World War I, in spite of the previous  initial total dependence of the kingdom on its sponsors, it ultimately served against their intentions as the cornerstone proto state of the nascent Second Polish Republic, the latter composed also  of territories never intended by the Central Powers to be ceded to Poland.

Act of 5th November


Provisional Council of State

Act of 5th November


Proclamation of the German Emperor and the Emperor of Austria, respecting the establishment of a Kingdom of Poland

Act of 5th November


Protest of the Russian Government against the Austro-German proclamation of Nov.6, 1916, respecting Poland

Act of 5th November


Protest of the Governments of Great Britain, France and Italy, against the Austro-German Proclamation of Nov. 6, 1916, respecting Poland

Act of 5th November


Górniczy Klub Sportowy Górnik Łęczna (pronounced [ɡurˈɲit͡ʂɨ ˈklup spɔrˈtɔvɨ ˈɡurɲik ˈwɛnt͡ʂna]), commonly referred to as Górnik Łęczna, is a sports club based in Łęczna, Poland. It is best known for its men's professional football team, which competes in I liga, the second division in the Polish football league system. The club also fields teams in women's football and wrestling.

GKS Górnik Łęczna


The club was founded in 1979, as a club for the local coal miners. As the years went, the local Bogdanka Coal Mine decided to invest more and more money and as a result the club quickly rose through the leagues. The club shed its relative obscurity when it gained promotion to the Ekstraklasa in 2003.

GKS Górnik Łęczna


Górnik Łęczna played in the top division from 2003 until 2007, when they were relegated to the 3rd division, as a consequence of their involvement in a match fixing scandal. However they were promoted straight back up as league winners after the 2007–08 season and competed in the I Liga for six years before winning promotion to the 2014–15 Ekstraklasa.

GKS Górnik Łęczna


Since 1 January 2007, the men's football department has been operating as a business entity separate from the rest of the club.

GKS Górnik Łęczna


In February 2011, the team was renamed GKS Bogdanka (Polish pronunciation: [bɔɡˈdaŋka]) for sponsorship reasons, a decision from the local Bogdanka coal mine. As a result, a group of supporters opposing the name change formed an amateur team GKS Górnik 1979 Łęczna. On 23 July 2013, GKS Bogdanka's board of directors announced the return to the former name.

GKS Górnik Łęczna


Champions: 1987–88 (gr. VII), 1995–96 (gr. V), 2007–08 (gr. IV), 2019–20

GKS Górnik Łęczna


Semi-finalists: 2022–23

GKS Górnik Łęczna


Polish U-19 Championship

GKS Górnik Łęczna


Third place: 2004, 2005

GKS Górnik Łęczna


As of 27 February 2026

GKS Górnik Łęczna


Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

GKS Górnik Łęczna


GKS Górnik 1979 Łęczna

GKS Górnik Łęczna


Górnik 1979 Łęczna was a club founded in 2011 by Górnik Łęczna fans who were unhappy with the name change to GKS Bogdanka. The club eventually changed its name back in 2013 but the fan owned counterpart has continued to operate in amateur football leagues. On 22 August 2014 the club withdrew from all competitions and ceased to operate, the reason cited were the lack of funds and the fact that the original Górnik Łęczna team went back to its original name scrapping the GKS Bogdanka name.

GKS Górnik Łęczna


The women's section of Górnik Łęczna played for years in the second and third-tier leagues of Poland. In 2006–07 the team reached the semi-finals of the Polish Cup but lost to Medyk Konin. In the 2009–10 season with the expansion of the Ekstraliga Kobiet the team finally gained promotion to it by finishing second in its 2nd tier division. In its Ekstraliga debut Górnik was 5th.

GKS Górnik Łęczna


List of football teams

GKS Górnik Łęczna


Official website (in Polish)

GKS Górnik Łęczna


Górnik Łęczna at the Fans website (in Polish)

GKS Górnik Łęczna


Górnik Łęczna at 90minut.pl (Polish)

GKS Górnik Łęczna


Jurassic World: The Ride is a dark water ride attraction that is themed to the Jurassic World series at Universal Studios Hollywood. The original Jurassic Park: The Ride, which operated from June 21, 1996, to September 3, 2018, underwent a major refurbishment and reopened as Jurassic World: The Ride on July 12, 2019.

Jurassic World: The Ride


The ride was announced on May 10, 2018, by Universal Studios Hollywood officials during a 25th anniversary celebration of the 1993 film Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg. It was stated that Jurassic Park: The Ride, which opened on June 21, 1996, would be closed for retheming based on the 2015 film Jurassic World and its 2018 sequel Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. The Jurassic Cafe restaurant and Jurassic Outfitters retail store near the original attraction were also closed temporarily to be rethemed.

Jurassic World: The Ride


Universal Creative worked on the new ride, and Jon Corfino was the project director and show producer. He worked closely on the ride with Colin Trevorrow and Frank Marshall, the director and producer respectively for the 2015 film. Corfino worked to blend elements of the old ride with the new one with the final idea presented to Spielberg. The team had to rush to complete the ride in time for the busy summer tourist season. A digital version of the Mosasaurus, an aquatic reptile from the films, is in the ride. Industrial Light & Magic collaborated with the design team at Universal Studios Hollywood to create the animal and its environment. The walls of the Mosasaurus tank are depicted across four large, high-definition screens on both sides of the boat. A 3D effect makes objects in the foreground move faster than those in the background, a technique that gives the Mosasaurus a realistic appearance. The attraction also features larger dinosaurs than Jurassic Park: The Ride and replacement animatronics allow the dinosaurs to move better than their predecessors. A few stars from the films return for the ride: Chris Pratt as Owen Grady, Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire Dearing and BD Wong as Dr. Henry Wu.

Jurassic World: The Ride


The attraction officially opened on July 12, 2019, without advanced notice or fanfare. It previously had a soft opening for friends and family of Universal employees. The official opening coincided with a number of other Jurassic World-themed attractions adjacent to the ride entrance. Guests can take part in the Triceratops Encounter, where guests interact with Juliet, a Triceratops, and Dino Play, in which young visitors excavate large dinosaur fossils. Guests can also interact with baby Velociraptors such as Sierra or Tango with their trainer. The Mosasaurus is part of the Aquarium Observatory section, an area that responds to real-life weather, changing between day time and night time depending on the real time of day. Jurassic Cafe introduced a bar called Isla Nu-bar, named after the series' fictional Isla Nublar island.

Jurassic World: The Ride


Following a refurbishment in 2021, the ride's climax was updated with a new Indominus rex animatronic.

Jurassic World: The Ride


In celebration for the arrival of the upcoming film Jurassic World Rebirth, Universal Studios Hollywood announced four more animatronic Dilophosaurus with improved splashes by the Mosasaurus during the Universal Mega Movie Summer event.

Jurassic World: The Ride


Guests enter through the Jurassic World gates and into a series of switchbacks. The queue is designed to look like Isla Nublar from the film. The queue is covered with posters and billboards explaining the dinosaurs at the park. Overhead, video monitors display "Jurassic World Network", the island's TV station which plays Dino facts and also interviews with characters from the film. As guests approach the loading area, smaller monitors display safety info before guests board their boat.

Jurassic World: The Ride


Each boat is capable of holding 25 people. The ride begins by climbing the first lift hill and the boats are taken to the Mosasaurus Aquarium Observatory, encountering the Mosasaurus. The boats then go into Herbivore Valley, a lush tropical area, where riders meet a mother Stegosaurus and her baby and encounter a Parasaurolophus before entering Predator Cove, where riders see carnage has ensued after the Indominus rex escaped with the other dinosaurs. Riders overhear that the ACU (especially Dr. Wu) is being called in to round up the escaped dinosaurs, passing by a damaged Gyrosphere and a pair of Compsognathus/Procompsognathus fighting over a tourist's hat. Claire Dearing comes in over a monitor and tries to comfort the riders, but her signal cuts off before riders travel up the second lift hill, where they see the Indominus herself spying on them through a hole in the nearby wall. Owen Grady then patches in and advises the riders not to move out of the boat. He then sends Blue the Velociraptor help the riders escape.

Jurassic World: The Ride


As the boat nears the top of the lift, the first Velociraptor holding a destroyed electrical wire lunges at riders through the ceiling. Following attempts by two Dilophosaurus to spit venom (actually water) at riders and a close call with the Indominus, the riders meet up with Blue, who leads them to an exit, but the Indominus arrived there first. The Tyrannosaurus rex then arrives and attacks the Indominus; their subsequent fight buying riders some time to escape. The boat then goes down the 84-foot drop, splashing all guests with water once it reaches the bottom and the ride ends. The riders exit the ride into the gift shop.

Jurassic World: The Ride


Reaction from riders was mostly positive at the time of opening. Todd Martens of the Los Angeles Times called it "an imperfect ride but the perfect one for where the 'Jurassic Park' franchise has gone," stating that the Jurassic World films focused more on thrills than story. Martens stated that the ride "packs plenty of tension and scares and wow-inducing special effects into its five-plus minutes. But it does this at the expense of a sense of awe, grandeur and basic grasp of storytelling that the original attraction possessed." Laure Prudom of IGN wrote "once you move past the nostalgia, most of the updates help enhance the exhilaration of the ride, and aside from the mosasaurus's screens, the rest of the ride focuses on practical effects and tangible animatronics, which helps it retain its charm."

Jurassic World: The Ride


Campbell Blackshear Hodges (27 March 1881 – 23 November 1944) was a United States Army major general. He commanded the 5th Infantry Division from October 1939 to May 1940, the 5th Corps Area from June 1940 to October 1940 and VII Corps (Tactical) from October 1940 to June 1941. After retirement from the Army, he served as president of Louisiana State University from 1941 to 1944.

Campbell B. Hodges


Early life and education

Campbell B. Hodges


Born on the Elm Grove Plantation along the Red River in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, Hodges studied at Mount Lebanon College and the Louisiana Polytechnic Institute before entering the United States Military Academy in 1899. He graduated in June 1903 and was commissioned as an infantry officer. Hodges later earned an A.M. degree from Louisiana State University in 1913. He graduated from the field officers' course at the Chemical Warfare School in 1931 and the United States Army War College in 1933.

Campbell B. Hodges


Hodges served in the Philippines with the 4th Infantry from October 1903 to June 1905 and with the 4th Infantry and the 30th Infantry from April 1907 to September 1909. After returning to the United States, he briefly served with the 5th Infantry before rejoining the 4th Infantry and briefly commanding a company from July to August 1910.

Campbell B. Hodges


Hodges was reassigned to teach tactics at the Military Academy from August 1910 to June 1911. He then taught military science and tactics and also Spanish at Louisiana State University from August 1911 to December 1912 before completing the requirements for his master's degree in March 1913.

Campbell B. Hodges


Hodges returned to the 4th Infantry in March 1913, serving at Galveston, Texas and Vera Cruz, Mexico and commanding a company from August 1914 to April 1915. He served as a temporary lieutenant colonel with the 1st Infantry, Louisiana National Guard at San Benito, Texas from June to September 1916.

Campbell B. Hodges


In September 1917, five months after the American entry into World War I, Hodges was assigned to the 31st Division at Camp Wheeler in Georgia as an assistant chief of staff, but ended up serving as the acting chief of staff for ten months. In September 1918, he was given command of the 122nd Infantry Regiment and received a temporary promotion to colonel when the division was sent to France towards the end of the war. Hodges received the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his World War I service with the 31st Division. The citation for the medal reads:

Campbell B. Hodges


The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Campbell Blackshear Hodges, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Acting Chief of Staff, 31st Division, Colonel Hodges demonstrated the highest professional attainments, and through his zeal and never-failing tact he was responsible in a large measure for the development of the high efficiency of that Division. Later, as a member of the War Department General Staff, he rendered most valuable service in the development of the system of classification of commissioned personnel now in use.

Campbell B. Hodges


In March 1920, Hodges reverted to his permanent rank of captain before being promoted to major in July of that year. He served as military attaché in Spain and Portugal from May 1923 to January 1926. In April 1926, he was assigned as the commandant of cadets at the Military Academy. Hodges was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 23 April 1927.

Campbell B. Hodges


While serving as commandant of cadets, Hodges was offered the presidency of Louisiana State University. He declined the offer to remain in the army and instead became the Senior Military Aide to President Herbert Hoover in March 1929. Hodges served as Hoover's aide until March 1933 and then as President Franklin Roosevelt's aide until June 1933 when relieved by Lieutenant Colonel Edwin M. Watson.

Campbell B. Hodges


In November 1933, Hodges joined the 14th Infantry Regiment at Fort Davis in the Panama Canal Zone. On 1 October 1934, he was promoted to colonel and given command of Fort Davis. In August 1936, Hodges became the chief of staff of the 4th Corps Area at Atlanta, Georgia.

Campbell B. Hodges


Promoted to brigadier general on 24 December 1936, Hodges was given command of the 14th Brigade and Fort Snelling in Minnesota. He then commanded the 5th Infantry Division at Fort McClellan in Alabama from October 1939 to May 1940. In June 1940, Hodges was given command of the 5th Corps Area at Fort Hayes in Ohio. He was promoted to major general on 1 September 1940. In October 1940, Hodges assumed command of VII Corps (Tactical) at Camp Beauregard in Louisiana. He relinquished command and retired from active duty on 30 June 1941.

Campbell B. Hodges


Hodges assumed the presidency of Louisiana State University on 1 July 1941 and served until 1944. Not long afterwards, he died of an intracerebral hemorrhage at LaGarde General Hospital in New Orleans. Hodges was buried at the West Point Cemetery on 27 November 1944.

Campbell B. Hodges


In 1949, Campbell B. Hodges Hall was built at Louisiana State University in his honor.

Campbell B. Hodges


Yachad (Hebrew: יחד, lit. 'together') is a non-governmental organization based in the United Kingdom. It describes itself as "pro-Israel, pro-peace".

Yachad (NGO)


Yachad asserts that "Israel's best hope for safety and security lies in a comprehensive peace with its neighbors. That means a two-state solution: Israel and Palestine." According to Yachad, "time is running out and the two-state solution is in peril". Facing this situation, "Now is the moment for diaspora Jews to play their part and do all they can in the search for peace."

Yachad (NGO)


Yachad supports the creation of a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with mutually agreed land swaps, supports United Nations recognition of Palestinian statehood, opposes the expansion of West Bank settlements (and supported UN resolutions against this), opposed the 2020 Trump peace plan for Israel/Palestine, and opposes Israeli plans to annex the West Bank.

Yachad (NGO)


Yachad has a wide-ranging programme of activities through campaigns that claim to aim to build support for those in Israel working for peace and democracy. Yachad organizes day trips to East Jerusalem and the southern West Bank.

Yachad (NGO)


It has campaigned against evictions of Palestinian Arab households in East Jerusalem.

Yachad (NGO)


It has commissioned major surveys of British Jewish opinion about the Middle East, including in 2015 and 2016.

Yachad (NGO)


Speakers at its events have included the former head of the Shin Bet, Ami Ayalon (2014, 2016) anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller(2017), Labour MPs Wes Streeting (2019) and Stephen Twigg (2019), Conservative former UK Minister of State for the Middle East Alistair Burt (2019, 2022), historian Simon Schama (2021), Palestinian Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard, and journalist Jonathan Freedland (2023).

Yachad (NGO)


Its donors include Trevor Chinn.

Yachad (NGO)


Yachad was launched in May 2011, “to provide a voice for British Jews who believe that to be pro-Israel today means safeguarding a Jewish and democratic Israel within internationally recognized borders, through the creation of a Palestinian state.”

Yachad (NGO)


In 2012, Yachad ran 88 events attended by 3,480 people, and raised £87,372 ($132,289) from 88 donors.

Yachad (NGO)


In 2013, its application to join the Zionist Federation was rejected, a decision criticised by communal leaders such as Jeremy Newmark, chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, and Vivian Wineman, president of the Board of Deputies.

Yachad (NGO)


By 2014, its director said it had 4,000 supporters and hundreds of donors. That year it was admitted to the Board of Deputies after a vote that was postponed twice due to controversy; the vote passed by 135 to 61.

Yachad (NGO)


During the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict Yachad organised 1000 members of the British Jewish community, to lobby Mark Lyall Grant — as UK ambassador, then President of the United Nations Security Council — to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza.

Yachad (NGO)


In 2019, Stephen Twigg described it as an “increasingly important player” in the UK Parliament.

Yachad (NGO)


In 2023, it protested in solidarity with the judicial reform protests in Israel and refused to attend a meeting with an Israeli minister during them.

Yachad (NGO)


During the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, Yachad promoted pro-peace and Israeli moderate voices in the UK. It commemorated Israelis murdered in the October 7 attack by Hamas and later participated in “Humanity, Not Hatred” peace vigils organised by the Together Coalition led by Brendan Cox.

Yachad (NGO)


"Limmud 2014: Yachad founder warns over Israel's future". The Jewish Chronicle. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

Yachad (NGO)


"Yachad's Hannah Weisfeld on educating from the grassroots". The Jewish Chronicle. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

Yachad (NGO)


Witchville is a 2010 made-for-television fantasy-adventure film based on witchcraft in a medieval feudal time period, written by John Werner and Amy Krell, and directed by Pearry Reginald Teo. The film was released and distributed by Syfy Network and it stars Luke Goss, Sarah Douglas, MyAnna Buring and Eragon star, Ed Speleers. The film premiered on 22 May 2010 in the USA via Syfy Channel.

Witchville


Prince Malachi returns to the kingdom of Draeganoth to find his father has died and the kingdom is in disarray. Kramer, a witchhunter, warns that there is no famine or pestilence, that the troubles are caused by witches and that with his skills and book of magic they might have a chance of defeating them. Malachi cannot believe there is no more rational explanation but gives Kramer a chance to prove himself and gathers the villagers. Kramer casts a spell that creates a red cloud that moves towards an old woman, and he calls for the townspeople to burn the witch. As she burns she cries out and warns that the Red Queen is coming.

Witchville


Malachi and his friends set out on a quest to destroy the witches and restore the kingdom. They battle a group of brigands, whom Malachi convinces to join them in their quest. The group comes to a town where they are welcomed and offered hospitality. They decide to continue with their quest but the red cloud comes out of their host revealing enemies and the Red Queen herself. They are overwhelmed, Erik is killed, Jason is taken prisoner, and the rest of the group is forced to retreat.

Witchville


The Red Queen attacks the castle, wanting the book of magic. Malachi tells Kramer to flee and hide the book. The Red Queen reveals that she is Malachi's mother. The former king was desperate for an heir and she gave him a daughter and a son but when the boy died she used her powers to revive him. Afraid of her powers the king banished her. Jozefa overhears, learning that she has a brother. The Red Queen urges Malachi to join her and to hand over the book, but when he refuses she throws him in the dungeon with Kramer.

Witchville


Before Kramer dies he realises that as Malachi being of the same blood as the Red Queen, he alone fulfills the prophecy of how to kill her. Jason convinces Jozefa to turn against the Red Queen and release him and then Malachi. Together they confront the Red Queen but cannot beat her. Then Malachi begins to understand the spell Kramer had taught him earlier, and realizes that he must kill himself and release the energy she once used to restore him. Malachi tries to stab his mother and she deflects the blade into him. He falls down. Josefa takes the knife and stabs herself to mingle their blood. And Malachi returns it to his mother completing the circle by stabbing her successfully this time. Looking into her eyes he recites the spell shown to him by Kramer from the book. "Not of my mother. Nor my father. I am born of the Light. My faith surrounds me. It protects me from your might. The earth.  Water. The fire and sky. In our elemental combat, you shall die." The combination of the incantation and the blood sacrifice fulfills the prophecy and finally kills the Red Queen.

Witchville


After the victory Malachi holds a funeral for Erik, but watching in the background are two minions, and they release their ominous red cloud of magic.

Witchville


Luke Goss as Malachi

Witchville


Sarah Douglas as the Red Queen, leader of the witches

Witchville


Ed Speleers as Jason, Malachi's best friend

Witchville


Andrew Pleavin as Erik, Jason's older brother, a great warrior

Witchville


MyAnna Buring as Jozefa, the Red Queen's daughter and enforcer

Witchville


Simon Thorp as Kramer, a witch hunter

Witchville


Lynne Verrall as Baba, an old woman from the village

Witchville


Ian Virgo as Hobart, headman of a neighbouring village

Witchville


Xiaofei Zhou as Darian (voiced by Ava Lyn Koh), leader of a group of brigands from Cathay

Witchville


Ian Reed as Castle Priest

Witchville


Jack Smith as Longchamps, one of Malachi's guards

Witchville


Witchville was filmed in Yixian, China.

Witchville


The film was released on DVD by Lionsgate Home Entertainment on July 5, 2011.

Witchville


Justin Felix of DVD Talk emphasized that this was "a SyFy production, and anyone at all familiar with the channel's weekend programming knows exactly what to expect here" and "worth watching once if you like this sort of thing". He said the film deviates little from the expected low-budget nonsense, but says the film "has a few interesting ideas and a fantastic supporting character in MyAnna Buring's Jozefa".

Witchville


The Radio Times gave it 2 out of a possible 5 stars.

Witchville


Microseris campestris is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name San Joaquin silverpuffs. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the San Joaquin Valley and adjacent Sierra Nevada foothills, and the central California Coast Ranges. It is a resident of grassland and open slope habitats, sometimes near vernal pools.

Microseris campestris


Microseris campestris is an annual herb growing up to half a meter-1.5 feet tall from a basal rosette of erect leaves; there is no true stem. Each leaf is up to 20 centimeters long and has edges divided into many lobes.

Microseris campestris


The inflorescence is borne on a peduncle arising from ground level. The flower head contains up to 100 white or yellow ray florets. The fruit is an achene with a gray or brown, sometimes speckled body a few millimeters long. At the tip of the body is a large pappus made up of five long, bristly scales.

Microseris campestris


Calflora Database: Microseris campestris (San Joaquin microseris,  San Joaquin silverpuffs)

Microseris campestris


Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Microseris campestris

Microseris campestris


USDA Plants Profile for Microseris campestris (San Joaquin silverpuffs)

Microseris campestris


Flora of North America

Microseris campestris


UC Photos gallery — Microseris campestris

Microseris campestris


The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2015 (E3 2015) was the 21st E3 held. The event took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. It took place from June 16 to June 18, 2015, with 52,200 total attendees.

E3 2015


Major exhibitors at the convention included Activision Blizzard, Atlus, Bethesda Softworks, Electronic Arts, Microsoft Studios, Nintendo, Nvidia, Sony Computer Entertainment, Square Enix and Ubisoft.

E3 2015


While E3 is a closed event to only members of the video game industry and the media, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) allowed access to the event from gamers for the first time by distributing 5,000 tickets the various exhibitors that they subsequently distributed to their fans.

E3 2015


Oculus VR hosted a pre-E3 press conference on June 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. During the conference, Oculus Rift's final design was revealed. Oculus Touch, a controller for the Rift, as well as exclusives, including Damaged Core from High Voltage Software, VR Sports Challenge from Sanzaru Games, Chronos from Gunfire Games and Edge of Nowhere from Insomniac Games were announced.

E3 2015


Bethesda hosted its first ever E3 press conference on June 14 at 7:00 p.m. During the conference, Bethesda Softworks revealed Fallout Shelter,  Dishonored: Definitive Edition, Dishonored 2, as well as The Elder Scrolls: Legends, a card game set within the Elder Scrolls universe. Release windows, trailers and gameplay demo were released for Fallout 4, Doom and BattleCry.

E3 2015


Microsoft hosted a press conference on June 15 at 9:30 a.m.  During the conference, Microsoft announced ReCore, Xbox One backward compatibility, a new Elite controller, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2, Dark Souls III, Ashen, Beyond Eyes, Ion, Rare Replay, Sea of Thieves and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition and showed footage of Halo 5: Guardians, Forza Motorsport 6, Fallout 4 with mod support, Tom Clancy's The Division, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, Gigantic, Tacoma, Cuphead, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Fable Legends, a version of Minecraft compatible with Microsoft HoloLens and Gears of War 4.

E3 2015


Electronic Arts hosted a press conference on June 15 at 1:00 p.m. The conference lasted for an hour.  During the conference, Electronic Arts announced Mass Effect Andromeda, showed gameplay of Need for Speed, announced the Star Wars: The Old Republic – Knights of the Fallen Empire, Unravel, showed gameplay of Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2, announced NHL 16, NBA Live 16, Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, Minions Paradise, showed footage of FIFA 16, showed gameplay of Mirror's Edge Catalyst, showed footage of Madden NFL 16 and showed gameplay of Star Wars Battlefront.

E3 2015


Ubisoft hosted a press conference on June 15 at 3:00 p.m. During the conference, Ubisoft announced South Park: The Fractured but Whole, a new IP titled For Honor, The Crew Wild Run, Trials Fusion: Awesome Level Max, Anno 2205, Just Dance 2016, Trackmania Turbo and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands and showed gameplay of Tom Clancy's The Division, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege and Assassin's Creed Syndicate.

E3 2015


Sony hosted a press conference on June 15 at 6:00 p.m.  During the conference, Sony re-announced The Last Guardian, announced a new IP titled Horizon Zero Dawn, Hitman, Dreams, Firewatch, Destiny: The Taken King, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and Shenmue III, in addition to showing footage of No Man's Sky, Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Batman: Arkham Knight, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Disney Infinity 3.0, Star Wars: Battlefront, Ratchet & Clank and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.

E3 2015


Nintendo, for a third consecutive E3, decided to forego hosting a traditional press conference in favor of a Nintendo Digital Event—a pre-recorded video presentation that was streamed online on June 16 at 9:00 a.m. with an accompanying press release. Prior to E3, Nintendo also held an event, the Nintendo World Championships 2015 (a competition in which a group of players participated in a multi-round competition across multiple Nintendo games), and also featured the announcement of new content for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, EarthBound Beginnings, Blast Ball, and new gameplay of Super Mario Maker as part of the competition's finale.  During the Digital Event, Nintendo announced Star Fox Zero, amiibo figures compatible with Skylanders: SuperChargers, The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, Hyrule Warriors Legends, Metroid Prime: Federation Force, Fire Emblem Fates, Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE, showed footage of Xenoblade Chronicles X, announced Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival, showed footage of Yoshi's Woolly World, announced Yo-kai Watch, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash and showed footage of Super Mario Maker.

E3 2015


Square Enix hosted a press conference on June 16 at 10:00 a.m.  During the conference, Square Enix announced Nier: Automata under the provisional title Nier New Project, Lara Croft Go, Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ, Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness and a new IP titled I Am Setsuna and showed footage of Just Cause 3, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Kingdom Hearts III, World of Final Fantasy, Hitman and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. Announcement footage of Final Fantasy VII Remake was revealed as part of Sony's presentation.

E3 2015


A webcast focusing on PC gaming was held on June 16 at 5:00 p.m. by gaming magazine PC Gamer and AMD, and hosted by Sean Plott. Representatives of studios including Blizzard Entertainment, Microsoft Studios, Bohemia Interactive, Paradox Interactive, Obsidian Entertainment, as well as Tripwire Interactive, ArenaNet, The Creative Assembly, Frictional Games, Frontier Developments, SCS Software, Splash Damage, Square Enix, Cloud Imperium Games and Devolver Digital made appearances. Rising Storm 2: Vietnam,  a PC port of Killer Instinct, American Truck Simulator, a Pillars of Eternity expansion known as The White March, Planet Coaster and an expansion of Arma 3 known as Tanoa were announced, and there was footage shown of Killing Floor 2, Star Citizen, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Total War: Warhammer, Fable Legends, Gigantic, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, Eve Valkyrie, Ion, Strafe, the Guild Wars 2 expansion Heart of Thorns, Hitman, Soma, Day Z, Take on Mars, BlueStreak, Enter the Gungeon and No Man's Sky.

E3 2015


List of notable exhibitors

E3 2015


This is a list of major video game exhibitors who made appearances at E3 2015.

E3 2015


List of featured games

E3 2015


This is a list of notable titles that appeared at E3 2015.

E3 2015


E 009 is a European B class road in Tajikistan, connecting the cities Jirgatal – Khorugh – Ishkoshim – Lyanga – border of Afghanistan

European route E009


РБ07  РБ07 Road: Vahdat (Jirgatol) -  Gharm (Rasht) - Labi Jar (E 60)

European route E009


РБ03  РБ03 Road: Labi Jar - Qal'ai Khumb

European route E009


РБ04  РБ04 Road: Qal'ai Khumb - Khorugh  (E 008)

European route E009


РБ06  РБ06 Road: Khorugh - Ishkoshim - Langar - Border of Afghanistan

European route E009


Wakhan Corridor: Theoretically, E009 will go from Border of Tajikistan, Dehqan Khana to the border of China. Such a road does not exist in reality

European route E009


UN Economic Commission for Europe: Overall Map of E-road Network (2007)

European route E009


The Philippine tube-nosed fruit bat (Nyctimene rabori) locally known in Tagalog as Bayakan is a species of bat in the family Pteropodidae. It is endemic to the Philippines and known from the islands of Cebu, Negros and Sibuyan. It occurs in and near primary and secondary subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is often found near water.  The species is named for Dioscoro S. Rabor who, with several others, first collected the species.

Philippine tube-nosed fruit bat


Other common names of the species include Visayan tube-nosed fruit bat and Rabor's tube-nosed fruit bat.

Philippine tube-nosed fruit bat


Nyctimene rabori is currently classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation.

Philippine tube-nosed fruit bat


Giant golden-crowned flying fox

Philippine tube-nosed fruit bat


Philippine naked-backed fruit bat

Philippine tube-nosed fruit bat


IUCN Red List endangered species (Animalia)

Philippine tube-nosed fruit bat


Werneck is a market town in the district of Schweinfurt in Lower Franconia, Bavaria, Germany. It has a population of around 10,000 and is best known for its Baroque palace, Schloss Werneck.

Werneck


Werneck lies in the Lower Franconia region of Bavaria, approximately 12 km from Schweinfurt and 25 km from Würzburg. It is located on a bend in the Wern, a tributary of the Main, on the edge of the plateau above the river. Its highest point is at 337.20 m of elevation, its lowest at 212.50 m. The total area of the municipality is 73.65 km², of which approximately 9 km² are wooded.

Werneck


Werneck has the following Ortsteile:

Werneck


The first written record of Werneck is dated 10 August 1223, as a fief granted by Bodo of Ravensburg, confirmed by the Pope on 9 April 1223. Between 1224 and 1250, possession of the fief was shared between first the Teutonic Knights and later Conrad of Reichenberg and Conrad of Schmiedefeld, until it finally passed to the Bishopric of Würzburg. A fort located there was sacked in the Peasants' War in 1525 and then seized and burnt down by Albert Alcibiades, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach in 1553. It was rebuilt in 1601 under Prince-Bishop Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn, but was again destroyed by fire in 1723 and merely patched up in 1724.

Werneck


The current baroque palace, Schloss Werneck, designed by Balthasar Neumann, was built in 1733–45 by Prince Bishop Friedrich Karl von Schönborn. For half a century it was, with Veitshöchheim, a summer residence of the Bishops of Würzburg. On 28 November 1802, the last Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, Georg Karl von Fechenbach, released his vassals there from their oaths of service and recommended them to the new regional overlord, Maximilian, Prince-Elector of Bavaria.

Werneck


In 1803, following secularisation, Werneck became a Bavarian possession. In 1805 it was transferred to Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany as part of the formation of the Grand Duchy of Würzburg. The Treaty of Paris in 1814 returned it to Bavaria.

Werneck


Beginning in 1853, the palace was converted into a hospital for the mentally ill, the Unterfränkische Landes-Irrenanstalt (Lower Franconian State Asylum), which opened on 1 October 1855. Its first director was Bernhard von Gudden (who later wrote the clinical assessment which justified deposing King Ludwig II and who drowned with him in Lake Starnberg). The hospital is thus one of the oldest psychiatric institutions in Germany. In 1940, the approximately 800 patients were murdered on the orders of Otto Hellmuth, Gauleiter of Mainfranken, as part of the Nazi elimination of mentally ill and handicapped people, Action T4.

Werneck


Werneck is predominantly Roman Catholic. A Jewish congregation existed in Werneck from the 16th century until 1904.

Werneck


Schloss Werneck - The grounds of the palace, including the Baroque garden and English-style park, may be visited, as may part of the palace, chiefly the chapel, which dates to 1744.

Werneck


Former palace in Vasbühl, built in 1677

Werneck


Fortified churches in Schleerieth und Schnackenwerth

Werneck


The tithe barn (built in 1628) was converted into a church in 1856. There has been a parish since 1910; a new parish church was consecrated in 1967. The Church of St. Bartholomew in Zeuzleben was built in 1753–1754.

Werneck


Merovingian cemetery in Zeuzleben

Werneck


The Musikverein Werneck has a wind band and a young people's wind band, and a variety of beginners' musical groups.

Werneck


The Bayerische Kammerorchester Bad Brückenau (Bad Brückenau Chamber Orchestra of Bavaria) was founded in 1979 as the Kammerorchester Schloß Werneck (Schloss Werneck Chamber Orchestra) and was formerly based in Werneck.

Werneck


Although the villages within the municipality of Werneck are still agricultural in character, there have been several decades of economic dependency on industries in Schweinfurt, to which many residents commute. In 1998, the municipality had 8 agricultural and forestry jobs, 595 production jobs and 228 trade and transport jobs subject to social insurance; 1,555 were employed there in other fields. A total of 3,559 residents held jobs subject to social insurance. There were 2 businesses engaged in the harvesting of natural resources (such as mining and quarrying) and 10 in construction. In addition in 1999 there were 195 agricultural businesses, utilising 6,382 km², of which 5,681 km² was cropland and 672 km² permanently planted (pasturage, orchards, etc.)

Werneck


Werneck is located at the Werneck Autobahn junction, where the A 7 and A 70 merge; in addition, the A 71 has passed close by since its Werntal connection to the A 70 opened in November 2005. Bundesstraßen B 19, B 26 and B 26a pass through Werneck. On 16 December 2007 the Werneck bypass on the B 19 was opened.

Werneck


There is a railway station on the Schweinfurt - Würzburg line in the centre of Eßleben and another very close to Werneck proper, on its border with Waigolshausen. The Werntalbahn (Wern Valley Railway), now used mainly for goods traffic, runs through the municipality.

Werneck


Today the psychiatric clinic (Krankenhaus für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatische Medizin Schloss Werneck) is operated by the Administrative Region of Lower Franconia and serves northeast Lower Franconia (Schweinfurt, Hassberge, Rhön-Grabfeld, Bad Kissingen and Kitzingen, with a total population of 500,000) with a modern 290-bed building, while the palace houses the Lower Franconia orthopaedic clinic (Orthopädische Klinik Schloss Werneck), one of the largest such facilities in Germany, with 153 beds. There are also care homes for psychiatric and senile dementia patients (Albert-Schweitzer-Haus, Haus Erthal and Haus Schönborn) on the grounds. Together these facilities are the largest source of employment in Werneck.

Werneck


In 1999, Werneck had 459 kindergarten spaces with 434 pupils, two Volksschulen with 973 pupils and the Lower Franconian school of nursing.

Werneck


Friedrich Fehr (1862-1927), artist

Werneck


Harald Ganzinger (1950-2004), computer scientist

Werneck


Gerhard Launer (born 1949), aerial photographer

Werneck


Winfried Bonengel (born 1960), film and TV director

Werneck


Sebastian Remelé (born 1969), mayor of Schweinfurt

Werneck


Jesse Schmitt (born 1972), American educator

Werneck


Christian Wück (born 1973), former footballer and since 2002 coach

Werneck


Tobias Oertel (born 1975), actor

Werneck


Jens Sobisch (born 1977), author (non-fiction)

Werneck


Christopher Schadewaldt (born 1984), ice hockey player

Werneck


Manfred Fuchs. Chronik der jüdischen Gemeinde von Werneck. Spuren jüdischen Lebens 1677–1904. Werneck: Historisches Verein Markt Werneck, 2010 (in German)

Werneck


Official website  (in German)

Werneck


Historischer Verein Markt Werneck (Historical Society)

Werneck


Denkmale in Werneck (Monuments) (requires agreement with terms of service)

Werneck


Werneck in Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, 4th ed. (1885–1892)

Werneck


Decapitated is a Polish death metal band formed in Krosno in 1996. The group is composed of guitarist, founder and composer Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka, vocalist Eemeli Bodde, bassist Paweł Pasek and drummer James Stewart. Decapitated are recognized as one of death metal's most widely respected bands and one of the finest exponents of technical death metal. The band earned an international fan base in the underground music community and became an innovating act in the modern death metal genre.

Decapitated (band)


Vogg and his younger brother, drummer Witold "Vitek" Kiełtyka, founded Decapitated along with vocalist Wojciech "Sauron" Wąsowicz in their mid-teens, joined by bassist Marcin "Martin" Rygiel one year later. After releasing two demos, the band signed with Wicked World (subsidiary of Earache Records) and released their debut album Winds of Creation in 2000. In 2002 and 2004 the band released the albums Nihility and The Negation, respectively. The band's fourth album, Organic Hallucinosis was released in 2006 with vocalist Adrian "Covan" Kowanek, who had replaced Wąsowicz the year before.

Decapitated (band)


In late 2007, the band was involved in an automobile accident. Vitek died at the age of 23 on November 2, 2007, from the injuries he suffered from the accident; Covan survived, but he slipped into a coma as a result. After a period of disbandment, Vogg reformed Decapitated in 2009 and the band has released four more studio albums since then: Carnival Is Forever (2011), Blood Mantra (2014), Anticult (2017) and Cancer Culture (2022). Alternative Press described Decapitated as remaining one of "death metal's elite" bands.

Decapitated (band)


Winds of Creation, Nihility and The Negation (1996–2004)

Decapitated (band)


Decapitated was founded in Krosno, Poland in 1996, by guitarist Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka, who was 15 at the time, his brother drummer Witold "Vitek" Kiełtyka, who was 12 years old, and vocalist Wojciech "Sauron" Wąsowicz, who was 16. One year later, bassist Marcin "Martin" Rygiel, 13, joined the band. Decapitated released its first demo, Cemeterial Gardens, in 1997 and its second demo, The Eye of Horus, in 1998. After signing to Earache Records subsidiary Wicked World, the band released its debut album, Winds of Creation, which included a cover version of Slayer's "Mandatory Suicide", and was produced by Piotr Wiwczarek from the Polish band Vader, in April 2000. The band toured with Vader in early 2001 in the United Kingdom. Allmusic states that "Decapitated have quickly gained recognition as one of Poland's, and even Europe's, finest exponents of ultra-technical death metal."

Decapitated (band)


Decapitated's self-produced second album, Nihility, which was released in February 2002, fulfilled the high expectations that followed the well-received debut album. Nihility also included a cover version of Napalm Death's "Suffer the Children". Decapitated was chosen to perform at the Polish Ozzfest event in late May and toured in North America and Europe in August. Sławek and Wojtek Wiesławscy produced the band's next album, The Negation, which was released in February 2004. The album received a positive response from critics and was followed by a tour in Europe and the United States throughout 2004.

Decapitated (band)


Organic Hallucinosis, accident, Vitek's death and hiatus (2005–2008)

Decapitated (band)


In mid-2005, Sauron announced his withdrawal from Decapitated, stating: "It was not an easy decision. However, I could reconcile the welfare of the band with my personal plans, and hence quitting appeared to be the best solution not hampering the evolution of Decapitated.(...) Moreover, another reason that contributed to my decision have been some health complications." The band chose Adrian "Covan" Kowanek, a previous member of Atrophia Red Sun, as his replacement and entered Hertz Studios in Białystok in August to record their ambitious fourth album Organic Hallucinosis, which was released the following February. According to Allmusic, the band's musical change of direction on this album was "likely to polarize longtime Decapitated fans".

Decapitated (band)


During the following tour in December 2005, Marcin could not perform with the band due to military conscription issues and was shortly substituted by Richard Gulczynski, but joined again in February 2006. During the year, Decapitated toured with American bands Suffocation, Six Feet Under, Fear Factory, and others. In June and July 2007, Decapitated played with Cephalic Carnage and others in the Summer Slaughter trek across the US. Once the tour ended, Marcin departed from Decapitated to live with his family and to move to California.

Decapitated (band)


On October 28, 2007, the remaining three band members were involved in an automobile accident that injured Vitek and Covan. Their tour bus collided with a truck carrying wood in Gomel, near the border from Russia to Belarus. Vitek died on November 2, 2007, at the age of 23 in a Russian hospital from the injuries. Covan slipped into a coma and was later moved to Poland. In 2008, Metal Mind Productions released the concert DVD Human's Dust.

Decapitated (band)


Reformation and Carnival Is Forever (2009–2013)

Decapitated (band)


On March 8, 2009, after a period of disbandment, Vogg announced he was planning to continue the band and was searching for a new drummer and vocalist. Covan was unable to continue with Decapitated due to the slow improvement of his condition. In early 2009, Vogg participated on recording of the guitars for Vader's album Necropolis and continued with the band on a tour in support of the album, starting in September.

Decapitated (band)


In mid-2009 Vogg stated: "It has been the hardest thing for me to move on without Vitek by my side, but he would have wanted me to continue with the band. Finally, I have found some great musicians who can continue the work of Vitek and Covan." "There's no sense in stopping this amazing thing we built up so many years ago together with Vitek, Sauron, Martin and Covan."

Decapitated (band)


On July 31, 2009, the Austrian drummer Kerim "Krimh" Lechner of Thorns of Ivy joined Decapitated. On November 20, 2009, the new line-up was completed with the vocalist Rafał Piotrowski of the band Ketha and bassist Filip "Heinrich" Hałucha of Vesania and Masachist. Decapitated continued with support of Nuclear Blast record label and Hard Impact Music management. The band toured in United Kingdom in February 2010 as well as in April and May in Australia, New Zealand and European festivals and the Summer Slaughter tour in United States in mid-2010.

Decapitated (band)


The band entered RG Studio in Gdańsk on February 9, 2011 to begin recording their fifth studio album entitled Carnival Is Forever. The album was produced by Vogg; while mixing and drums production was done by Swedish producer Daniel Bergstrand, who previously worked with Behemoth and Meshuggah among others. Heinrich departed from Decapitated after the recording in order to concentrate on Vesania, and Carnival Is Forever was released on July 12, 2011.

Decapitated (band)


On November 1, 2011, the band was on board LOT Polish Airlines Flight 16 when the crew were unable to extend the landing gear and were forced to land the aircraft on its belly. Everyone aboard the flight survived. Decapitated went on a European tour with Meshuggah in mid-2012. Lechner left the band in September 2012 and was replaced by former Vader drummer Paweł Jaroszewicz. In late 2012, Decapitated played concerts in Nepal, Japan, and Thailand, among others. In 2013, the band joined Lamb of God on a tour in North America.

Decapitated (band)


Blood Mantra, Anticult and members' arrests (2014–2020)

Decapitated (band)


On March 13, 2014, the band announced the addition of drummer Michał Łysejko to its lineup, who had been touring with Decapitated since January 2014. Decapitated recorded Blood Mantra during March in Hertz Studio in Poland, and released the album in September. During a tour in United States in October, the band was involved in serious van accident on the way to a show in New Orleans, Louisiana. Nobody was seriously injured and the band continued on tour. Decapitated accompanied Soulfly on their 2015 We Sold Our Souls To Metal Tour.

Decapitated (band)


The album Anticult was released on July 7, 2017. Vogg stated about the songwriting process: "[This] album is one that we created together as a band. Our drummer, Michał [Łysejko], [helped] a lot with the arrangements and the songs. He's like the co-author of the songs. It's like I used to do with Vitek [Witold Kiełtyka]."

Decapitated (band)


On 9 September 2017, all four members of Decapitated's line up at the time (Michał Łysejko, Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka, Rafał Piotrowski and Hubert Więcek) were arrested in Santa Ana, California, after a show while on tour with Thy Art Is Murder. Prior to the arrest, the band members had offered to surrender to the police as soon as they had learned of an investigation, but never heard anything back. After being extracted to Spokane, each band member was formally charged with rape in October 2017. Piotrowski and Kiełtyka were both charged with second degree rape, while Łysejko and Więcek's charges were for third degree rape. All members of the band plead not guilty to their respective criminal charges. All charges were dropped by prosecutors in January 2018, citing the "well-being of the victim" and "in the interest of justice", and the scheduled trial later that month was cancelled. According to Piotrowski's attorney Jeffry Finer, the accuser was heavily involved in the decision to drop charges and the band's defence attorneys also highlighted testimonies from numerous concert attendees and musicians from other bands in support of the band's version of events. In March 2018, Kiełtyka wrote a statement explicitly rejecting the accusations and describing the experience as "one of the most terrible and irrational times in our lives".

Decapitated (band)


In July 2018, the band released a music video for the song "Kill The Cult" from their 2017 album. In December 2018, the band announced departure of drummer Łysejko.

Decapitated (band)


On September 28, 2019, Vogg was announced as Phil Demmel's replacement in Machine Head for a tour. Vogg revealed that Decapitated would begin writing new music in 2020 for their eighth studio album. In September 2020, Decapitated re-signed with Nuclear Blast and also announced former touring drummer James Stewart has become a full-time band member, while bassist Hubert Więcek was no longer in the band.

Decapitated (band)


Cancer Culture and next album (2021–present)

Decapitated (band)


The band announced dates in July 2021 for their upcoming 2022 European tour to mark their 25th anniversary, with support from Black Tongue, Heart of a Coward and INFERI. Heart of a Coward later withdrew from the tour and were replaced with Archspire.

Decapitated (band)


On March 17, 2022, the band announced their eighth studio album Cancer Culture would be released on May 27, and also released the title track from the album. They also revealed the album would feature guest performances from members of Jinjer and Machine Head. The album and music videos feature the return of Paweł Pasek on bass.

Decapitated (band)


On February 17, 2024, while announcing his departure from Machine Head, Vogg confirmed that Decapitated has "a studio session lined up" for the next album. He was also open to joining new bands. Decapitated continued touring.

Decapitated (band)


On October 11, 2024, it was announced vocalist Rasta had departed the band, and was being replaced by Eemeli Bodde of Mors Subita. It was also announced former vocalist Sauron would be performing with the band at the 2024 Damnation Festival. Later that year, Stewart was confirmed as a full Obscura member.

Decapitated (band)


Vogg confirmed in October 2025 that Decapitated has begun working on new material for their ninth studio album, with a tentative release date of 2026.

Decapitated (band)


Musical style and critical reception

Decapitated (band)


Decapitated's music is written by Vogg, who co-worked with Vitek while writing prior to his death. Decapitated became known for its songwriting and technical instrumental approach at an extraordinarily young age and earned an international fan base in the underground music community. In the review of Decapitated's debut album, Allmusic said "the band has a seemingly effortless understanding and command of ... their instruments and ... the songwriting is extremely solid; even in the first listen." The characteristics of Nihility and Negation are "powerful, blastbeat-filled drumming, dissonant yet memorable guitar riffs, and inventive guitar solos" and substantially high production quality. In the review of The Negation, Metal Hammer states that "Sauron is one of the most capable vocalists on the scene". With Organic Halucinosis, Decapitated focused on non-traditional death metal aesthetics, more complex songwriting and grooves, and polyrhythmic approach; Covan contributed more versatile vocals. A notable element of groove is present in Decapitated's death metal sound, which has been often described as technical death metal. Vogg cited Dimebag Darrell of Pantera as an "inspiration for making groovy riffs". Recently, the band and their later musical output have been described as groove metal.

Decapitated (band)


Decapitated's releases are some of death metal's most significant albums of the early 21st century. Winds of Creation was "responsible for re-igniting a stagnating death metal scene" and Organic Hallucinosis proved to be substantially influential in the subsequent development of the genre. According to Kerrang!, Decapitated have released "classic albums; (...) that have turned these youthful Poles into one of the genre's most widely respected bands. Tomas Haake, the drummer of the Swedish band Meshuggah, commented the death of Vitek: "The metal community has lost one of the most talented and skillful drummers of our time! [...] Vitek was a true talent and drummer genius." In 2017, Alternative Press described Decapitated as one of "death metal's elite" bands.

Decapitated (band)


Media related to Decapitated at Wikimedia Commons

Decapitated (band)


The Agencia Espacial Española (AEE; Spanish Space Agency) is an agency of the Spanish government responsible for the Spanish space program. The agency was officially announced on 27 May 2021 and it became operational in 20 April 2023.

Agencia Espacial Española


This new agency aims to group in a single body all the space powers of the General State Administration, mainly those of the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA, created in 1942) and the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI, created in 1977).

Agencia Espacial Española


INTA and other agencies

Agencia Espacial Española


The concern of the Spanish government in relation to space issues appears in the 1940s, when the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) was created. However, this body focused its efforts on satellite and rocket programs, but has never been configured as a true space agency that would coordinate public and private efforts around a defined space program.

Agencia Espacial Española


For this reason, in 1963 the National Space Research Commission (CONIE) was created, initially attached to the Ministry of the Air and later to the Ministry of Defence.

Agencia Espacial Española


This organization had three objectives:

Agencia Espacial Española


To advise and propose to the Government the national programs of tests, achievements and research of the very high atmosphere and outer space, together with the necessary budgets for the development of such programs.

Agencia Espacial Española


To distribute the programs among the various national Research Services or Institutes that specifically must participate in them, as well as promote, stimulate, direct and coordinate the activities of such Services and Institutes in what refers to the investigation of the very high atmosphere and from outer space.

Agencia Espacial Española


To promote collaboration with international space organizations.

Agencia Espacial Española


In 1986, the Promotion and General Coordination of Scientific and Technical Research Act dismissed the commission and it transferred its powers to two bodies: first, to the Interministerial Committee for Science and Technology (CICYT, a collective government body to coordinate this affairs) and, secondly, to the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), which acts as a space project funding agency and coordinate the European Space Agency's programs in Spain.

Agencia Espacial Española


In 2014, the Interministerial Committee for Space Industrial and Technological Policy was created to coordinate the interest of the several ministries that at that time had space responsibilities. This committee was made up of representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Finance and Public Administrations, the Ministry of Development, the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism, the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, the National Institute of Aerospace Technology, the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology and the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). In 2015, the government announced the creation of the agency to unify all space research activities, but this was not carried out.

Agencia Espacial Española


With the arrival at the Ministry of Science of former astronaut Pedro Duque, the industry recovered the idea of creating a space agency, but the government discarded the idea again since they considered that creating more structures was not going to solve the problem and that the most logical was to continue betting on the European Space Agency (ESA). Despite this, in 27 May 2021, the new Science Minister, Diana Morant, announced that the draft Science Act included the possibility of creating said body, and that, indeed, they would do so. The new Science, Technology and Innovation Act was passed on 26 August 2022 and entered into force on 7 September 2022.

Agencia Espacial Española


Between 2021 and 2022 the government has been implementing measures in this regard, establishing a new National Security Strategy that considered vital to have a space agency, presenting the Science bill to Parliament and the creation in June 2022 of the Space Council, an interministerial working group in charge of drawing up the internal regulations and the initial action plan of the future Spanish Space Agency. The Space Council is chaired by a Special Commissioner, a position established in 2022 to coordinate all the public and private efforts to promote the space industry. The government also announced in June 2022 that the Spanish Air Force, the Army of the Air, would be renamed as Army of the Air and Space.

Agencia Espacial Española


As initially expected, the agency became operational in 2023. On 7 March 2023, the Council of Ministers approved the internal regulations of the Agency and in 20 April 2023 the Agency's Governing Council held its constitutive session.

Agencia Espacial Española


The Spanish Space Agency is organized into three main bodies and several subordinated directorates:

Agencia Espacial Española


The President. The presidency is exercised by the minister of Science and Innovation. The president represents the Agency, convenes and directs the meetings of the Governing Council, and proposes to it, after consulting with the minister of Defense, the appointment director of the Agency.

Agencia Espacial Española


The Governing Council. It is the collective governing body of the Agency, made up of the president, the vice-presidents (there are four of them, one for each representative of the Ministries of Defence, Transport, Industry and Economy), the director of the Agency, and other representatives of the General State Administration. There are members, with voice but no vote, representatives of the scientific field, the space industry sector and workers.

Agencia Espacial Española


As a permanent working body, it has a Permanent Commission, headed by the director of the Agency.

Agencia Espacial Española


The Director of the Agency, with the rank of undersecretary. It is the executive office of the Agency, on which the rest of the administrative bodies depend.

Agencia Espacial Española


The General Secretariat. It is responsible for the management and administrative direction of human, economic, financial, technological, logistical and material resources. Likewise, it acts as the Secretary of the Governing Council.

Agencia Espacial Española


The Directorate for Security and Planning. Its office holder is the first in the line of succession to the director of the Agency and this department is in charge of supporting the achievement of the goals of the different national strategies of which the Agency is a part, coordinating and supervising everything related to support to Aerospace Security, assists in the certification of space infrastructures, and it is responsible for everything related to the safe operation of Space Traffic and the monitoring of activities related to "Space Surveillance and Tracking" (SST) and "Space Situational Awareness" (SSA). Likewise, it is in charge of ensuring the environmental sustainability of space operations and cybersecurity, the protection of information, the accreditation of companies, premises and people who participate in classified projects, as well as protection against threats and risks, in Coordination with other bodies with competencies in this matter.

Agencia Espacial Española


The Directorate for Programs and Industry, which is responsible for promoting, managing and coordinating the National Space Program, the technical and economic monitoring of existing programs, supervising the correct use of funds for the development of these programs and the national participation in all space programs. Also, it promote the space industry, analyzing the possible public investment in private initiatives of start-up companies.

Agencia Espacial Española


The Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation, which is responsible for identifying, promoting and developing space technologies in all areas, whether by carrying out its own programmes, financing others or helping to create and consolidate space technology-based companies.

Agencia Espacial Española


The Directorate for Users, Services and Applications. This department is responsible for the promotion and development of space applications for public and private users and for the development of the downstream sector of the space industry.

Agencia Espacial Española


The Space and Society Office, responsible for the promotion, through the appropriate communication and dissemination actions, of social interest in space and in projects, science, research, actions and others that derive from the Agency's powers.

Agencia Espacial Española


Likewise, to ensure the proper functioning of the Agency, there is a Control Commission that collects information and transmits it to the Governing Council.

Agencia Espacial Española


Finally, there are several advisory and support bodies to assist the different departments of the Agency.

Agencia Espacial Española


From March 2023 to December 2023, Miguel Belló Mora, the government commissioner for aerospace projects of the Ministry of Science served as acting director. After leaving both offices, the director for Security and Planning of the agency, brigadier general Juan Carlos Sánchez Delgado, assumed as acting director. Finally, in May 2024 the aerospace engineer Juan Carlos Cortés Pulido, then director for Programs and Industry of the agency, was appointed as the first director.

Agencia Espacial Española


The Spanish prime minister disclosed the newly created state agency to be headquartered outside of the capital, Madrid, pursuant to the wider administrative decentralization plan devised by the government. The Government of Spain however announced that it would positively assess places located less than an hour away from an international airport, with connections to Brussels and Paris, and preferably to Amsterdam, Rome, Frankfurt, Prague, and Toulouse too, cited as the most frequent destinations for work trips among agency staff members.

Agencia Espacial Española


The following municipalities submitted bids to host the headquarters: Huelva, Seville, Teruel, Elche, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Cabanillas del Campo, Yebes, Puertollano, Ciudad Real, León, Palencia, Cebreros, San Javier, Tres Cantos, Robledo de Chavela, and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat.

Agencia Espacial Española


On 5 December 2022, the Government of Spain, via its spokesperson Isabel Rodríguez, disclosed the city of Seville as the location for the headquarters of the agency, tentatively intended to be operational in early 2023.

Agencia Espacial Española


The 2011–12 FA Trophy is the 42nd season of the FA Trophy, the Football Association's cup competition for teams at levels 5–8 of the English football league system. A total of 266 clubs entered the competition.

2011–12 FA Trophy


The competition was won for the first time by York City, who defeated Newport County 2–0 in the Final at Wembley on 12 May 2012. Newport County became the second Welsh club to reach an FA Trophy final, after Bangor City in 1984.

2011–12 FA Trophy


Ties will be played on 8 October 2011.

2011–12 FA Trophy


† – After extra time

2011–12 FA Trophy


First round qualifying

2011–12 FA Trophy


Ties will be played on 22 October 2011

2011–12 FA Trophy


Teams from Premier Division of Southern League, Northern Premier League and Isthmian League entered in this round.

2011–12 FA Trophy


Second round qualifying

2011–12 FA Trophy


Ties will be played on 5 November 2011

2011–12 FA Trophy


Third round qualifying

2011–12 FA Trophy


Ties will be played on 26 November 2011. This round is the first in which Conference North and South teams join the competition.

2011–12 FA Trophy


Ties will be played on 10 December 2011. This round is the first in which Conference Premier teams join those from lower reaches of the National League System.

2011–12 FA Trophy


Ties will be played on 14 January 2012.

2011–12 FA Trophy


Ties will be played on 4 February 2012.

2011–12 FA Trophy


Ties will be played on 25 February 2012.

2011–12 FA Trophy


Newport County win 3–1 on aggregate

2011–12 FA Trophy


York City win 2–1 on aggregate

2011–12 FA Trophy


Football Club History Database: FA Trophy 2011–12

2011–12 FA Trophy


MacKay United Church is a United Church of Canada church in the New Edinburgh neighbourhood of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The church is located at the intersection of 39 Dufferin and Mackay at the southwest corner of the Rideau Hall estate. MacKay's present minister is the Arnprior-born Reverend Peter Woods.

MacKay United Church


The church was founded in 1875 on land donated by William MacKinnon, grandson of Thomas McKay, and the founder of New Edinburgh and namesake of the church. The Romanesque Revival style building was constructed from 1909-1910.

MacKay United Church


The building was expanded in 1924 and the entire structure was demolished for a new building completed in 1910.  It was originally called MacKay Presbyterian, but became MacKay United, on June 10, 1925. The building was given a Municipal designation under the Ontario Heritage Act, Section 29.

MacKay United Church


MacKay United Church website

MacKay United Church


Queen Seondeok (Korean: 선덕여왕 Korean pronunciation: [sʌn.dʌk jʌ.waŋ]; Unknown  – 20 February [O.S. 17 February] 647; 8th day of the 1st lunar month of the 14th year of Inpyeong [인평 14년 정월 8일; 仁平14年正月8日]) reigned as Queen Regnant of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, from 632 to 647. She was Silla's twenty-seventh ruler, and its first reigning queen. In the Samguk sagi, Queen Seondeok was described as "generous, benevolent, wise, and smart". According to the Legend of Jigwi, she was also beautiful.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


In texts, Queen Seondeok is indicated not only as Seondeok yeowang (선덕여왕; 善德女王), but also as Seondeok wang (선덕왕; 善德王), Seondeok yeodaewang (선덕여대왕; 善德女大王) and Seongjohwanggo (성조황고; 聖祖皇姑).

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Yeowang (여왕; 女王; lit. 'female king') – Yeowang ("female king") is the title of queen regnant in Korean.  Because there is no feminine equivalent to king and emperor in East Asian languages, different titles are used for female monarchs and female consorts.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Wang (왕; 王; lit. 'king') –  Unlike European languages, in East Asia, the titles of female monarchs can also be abbreviated as "king" or "emperor", much like their male counterparts. However, to avoid confusion with male monarchs, they are usually referred to as "female king" or "female emperor".

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Yeodaewang (여대왕; 女大王; lit. 'female great king') –  It is a combination of yeowang ("female king") and daewang (대왕; 大王; lit. 'great king'). In the Samguk yusa, she is also called Seondeok yeodaewang (선덕여대왕), meaning Great Queen (Regnant) Seondeok.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Seongjohwanggo (성조황고; 聖祖皇姑; lit. 'divine ancestors' emperor-woman') – The title given to Queen Seondeok when she ascended the throne was Seongjohwanggo (聖祖皇姑). It means Empress descended from divine ancestors. This is one of the cases in which Silla used the title of emperor/empress as well as the title of king/queen. (See Emperor at home, king abroad for more information.)

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Succession to the throne

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Born Princess Deokman (德曼), Seondeok was the daughter of King Jinpyeong and Queen Maya of Silla. She had two siblings, Princess Cheonmyeong and Princess Seonhwa (although Seonhwa's existence is controversial due to the discovery of evidence in 2009 that points to King Uija's mother as being Queen Sataek and not Seonhwa as indicated by historical records). It is uncertain whether she or Cheonmyeong was the first born. According to the disputed text Hwarang Segi, Cheonmyeong was older than Seondeok. According to the historical text Samguk sagi, Seondeok was the eldest daughter.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


According to the disputed text Hwarang Segi, because King Jinpyeong had no son whom he could pass the crown to, he began to consider his son-in-law, Kim Yongsu (husband of Princess Cheonmyeong) as his successor - after recognizing his achievements for the country. When Princess Deokman heard of it, she made a plea to her father, asking him to give her a chance to compete for the throne, insisting that she too had the right to compete for the throne as much as Kim Yongsu had. Seeing her determination, the King gave her the chance to prove herself worthy of the throne. Although it was not unusual for women to wield power in Silla (Queen Sado also served as a regent for King Jinpyeong), the thought of having a female ruler sitting on the throne was still unacceptable for most of them. Therefore, Princess Deokman had to prove herself in order to gain the trust and support of her people. Eventually, she succeeded, and was named as King Jinpyeong's successor. But this story is not mentioned in the historical texts Samguk sagi and Samguk yusa. According to the Samguk yusa, the reason Seondeok became a female monarch was just because there was no male Seonggol of Bone-rank system.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


The decision was not accepted by everyone, and as a result; some officials planned an uprising in order to stop her from being crowned. On May of 631, Ichan Chilsuk (이찬 칠숙) and Achan Seokpum (아찬 석품) planned a rebellion. But, their plan was discovered and suppressed early on. As punishment, Chilsuk was beheaded in the market place along with his entire family. Seokpum was able to escape and ran to the Baekje border. However, he missed his wife and decided to return after exchanging clothes with a woodcutter. Upon his return, he was arrested by soldiers waiting for him at his home, and was later executed.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


In January 632, Queen Seondeok became the first queen regnant of Silla. As a ruler, Queen Seondeok's primary concern was the livelihood of her people. Right after she was crowned, she appeased her people by telling them what her policies would be. She sent royal inspectors throughout the kingdom to improve the care of widows, widowers, orphans, the poor, and the elderly. During that same year, she sent a diplomat to pay tribute to the Emperor of the Tang dynasty of China, and inform him about Silla's new ruler. However, Emperor Taizong of Tang refused to acknowledge Seondeok as a ruler because she was a woman.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


In the second year of Queen Seondeok's reign, Cheomseongdae, an astronomical observatory, was built to help the farmers. She also announced a whole year of tax exemption for the peasants and reduced the tax for the middle class, and through this act of kindness, the queen won the people's support and her position was strengthened against the opposition of the male aristocracy. In June of the same year, Queen Seondeok sent a diplomat to pay nominal tribute to the Tang Emperor again; however, Emperor Taizong still refused to acknowledge her as a ruler but Seondeok was unfazed as Korean rulers of Korean dynasties have always seen themselves as equal to the rulers of Chinese dynasties.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


According to the Samguk sagi, in March, 636, the queen became ill and no amount of prayers and medicine worked. In March, 638, a large stone on the south side of the mountain moved on its own, and seven months later, Goguryeo attacked the mountain valley. The next year, the sea water on the eastern part of the Silla kingdom turned red, which caused all of the fish living in it to die. These events made the people anxious, and some of them considered them as bad omens portending the Silla kingdom's downfall.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


In 642, Uija of Baekje personally led a campaign against Silla, and conquered 40 fortresses in the western part of Silla. General Yunchung conquered the strategically important Daeya Fortress with 10,000 men and executed the daughter and son-in-law of Kim Chunchu. In 643, Baekje and Goguryeo conquered Danghang Fortress, blocking an important sea route to the Tang dynasty. Because of this, Queen Seondeok sent a diplomat to the Emperor of Tang and asked for assistance. The Emperor gave her three proposals. First, he would attack the Liaodong Peninsula and carry out a naval campaign on the west to occupy the Baekje. Second, the emperor would provide thousands of Tang uniforms and army flags in order to help Silla soldiers disguise themselves as Chinese troops. Third, he would send a male royal of Tang descent to serve as a new king of Silla, as, according to him, Silla faced constant threat because their enemies did not fear them due to their having a female ruler. The diplomat returned to Silla, unable to tell the Queen of the proposals that the Tang Emperor had offered.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


At that point of crisis, Queen Seondeok sent for the well known Buddhist monk, Jajang, who had been studying under the great Buddhist masters of the Tang dynasty for seven years. Monk Jajang returned to Silla in 643. He advised the queen and her counselors to build the great nine-story pagoda for the dual purpose of blocking foreign invasions and calming her people. After careful consideration, the queen decided to accept Jajang's proposal, seeing it as necessary to overcome the crisis that they were facing at that time. However, during her meeting with her royal subjects, she learned that they were strongly against it due to concern for the state of the royal treasury, knowing that the construction of the pagoda would bring a heavy tax burden on her people. But the queen still decided to continue with the plan with the firm belief that a work of religious devotion would bring her people together and show her people that Silla was still far from ruin. She told her royal subjects to "tear down her palace and use its bricks and timbers, if they think they lack the funds". After two years, the pagoda was finally completed; it was called Hwangnyongsa (meaning "Imperial Dragon Temple") and was considered the tallest temple in East Asia at that time. During that same year, Queen Seondeok appointed a nobleman named Bidam to the highest position in the court (Sangdaedeung).

Queen Seondeok of Silla


During the reign of Queen Seondeok, the first foundation for unifying the three Kingdoms under Silla was laid. A series of attacks and raids by the combined forces of Baekje and Goguryeo had brought the kingdom to a point of crisis. The queen decided to form an alliance with the Tang dynasty. She was ridiculed at first; however, after seeing the growing strength of Goguryeo, the Emperor of Tang, finally accepted her offer.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


On February 8, 647 (January 8, lunar calendar), Queen Seondeok faced her greatest challenge when several of her highest officials started a rebellion against her. They were led by Bidam, who asserted that: "The female king failed to rule the country, therefore women should stop ruling". Bidam had strong political influence in the court, and thus created the biggest rebellion in Silla's history. Since most of the army had been sent to different parts of the Silla kingdom to defend it from potential foreign invasions, the rebellion was a great threat.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


According to a famous anecdote about Bidam's rebellion, on the night of Bidam's rebellion, Queen Seondeok's health had deteriorated sharply due to illness, and a star fell near the Queen's residence. Bidam, who saw the star, claimed it was a sign of the queen's impending downfall, to encourage his superstitious followers. The queen, who heard of the event, became fearful and anxious, but Kim Yushin calmed her by telling her not to worry, for he had a plan to suppress the rebellion. He then flew a huge kite with a burning scarecrow attached to it, to make it appear that the star was back in its place. Bidam's followers saw this, and became greatly discouraged.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


The rebellion was eventually suppressed by Kim Yu-sin and Kim Alcheon. According to the Samguk sagi, Bidam and his thirty followers were executed on February 17, 647 (lunar calendar). The rebellion therefore lasted for fewer than 10 days, and failed in its goal to overthrow the government of Queen Seondeok.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Queen Seondeok died on February 20, 647 (January 8, 647 in the lunar calendar) shortly before Bidam's rebellion was completely suppressed. There is no known record identifying the exact cause of her death, but Queen Seondeok was known to have had an unspecified illness shortly prior to her death, and this illness is most commonly theorized as the cause of her death. Some historians state it is also possible she died partly out of shock that Bidam had instigated a rebellion against her. Queen Seondeok was buried in a tomb on Nangsan, one of the sacred mountains in Gyeongju. After Queen Seondeok's death, her cousin was then named as the next female ruler of Silla, and became Queen Jindeok.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Buddhism and astrology

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Like her father, Queen Seondeok was drawn to Buddhism. Silla built many temples, pagodas, and Buddha statues during her reign. One of the famous temples that was built during her time was the temple of Hwangnyongsa. According to ancient architectural records, the pagoda was 68 or 80 meters in height, making it one of the tallest structures in East Asia at the time. The pagoda represented the earnest wish of Queen Seondeok and the Silla people, to protect the country and bring the three kingdoms of Korea under one ruler. It was an offering to the Buddha, in hope that these wishes would be fulfilled. The queen often visited the Hwangnyongsa temple to pray for the wisdom and strength to save Silla from danger.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Bunhwangsa, Oseam, Sangwonsa, Yeongmyosa, Tongdosa, Woljeongsa, Baekdamsa, and Magoksa were built during her reign. She also built the "Star-Gazing Tower," or Cheomseongdae, considered the first dedicated observatory in the Far East, which helped farmers at that time. The tower still stands in the old Silla capital of Gyeongju, South Korea and is the oldest surviving observatory in East Asia.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


She encouraged a renaissance in thought, literature, and the arts in Silla. She developed Buddhist culture, selected great talent, and established diplomacy with the Tang dynasty, laying the foundation for the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


However, there are also negative evaluations due to the military failure and the squandering of national power by the excessive construction of temples, and since Queen Seondeok's ascension to the throne itself was achieved through a compromise between two conflicting powers, no reforms that could even slightly affect the existing balance could be promoted during her reign. It was evaluated that the absence of any achievements related to system reorganization during Queen Seondeok's reign, except for Buddhist rites such as the construction of temples, clearly shows this. In addition, it was interpreted that the balance between the two powers was broken by King Uija's invasion west of the Nakdong River in 642, which led to the Rebellion of Sangdaedeung Bidam, the leader of the noble faction, as Queen Seondeok neared death in 647.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


According to the historical text Samguk yusa, she married Galmunwang Eum (음갈문왕).

Queen Seondeok of Silla


According to the disputed text Hwarang Segi, Queen Seondeok had three husbands.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Kim Yongchun (김용춘), a child of King Jinji and Princess Cheonmyeong's brother-in-law. He served as an official during King Jinpyeong's reign and served as a Sangdaedeung for Queen Seondeok. Supposedly King Jinpyeong ordered Kim Yong Chun to become Princess Deokman's consort, in hope that a son would be born, so that the kingdom would not be entrusted to a woman. When they failed to conceive a child, Kim Yong Chun asked the king to allow him to retire as Princess Deokman's consort. The king agreed to his request, but asked him to assist Princess Deokman once she took over the throne. He went on to marry Princess Cheonmyeong in order to fulfill his brother's dying wish.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Eulje (을제): served as an official during King Jinpyeong's reign and as a Sangdaedeung for Queen Seondeok.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Lord Heumban (흠반공): was said to be one of King Jinpyeong's brothers.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


According to Changnyeong Jo clan (창녕 조씨) tradition, she was married to the clan founder Jo Gye-ryong (조계룡).

Queen Seondeok of Silla


However, it is widely believed that she did not let herself be wed in order to avoid political conflicts, hence the next female rulers after her (Queen Jindeok and Queen Jinseong) were not married either.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Peony flowers and painting

Queen Seondeok of Silla


This story is recorded in the Samguk yusa.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Emperor Taizong of China once sent the queen a painting of three peony flowers in red, purple and white, along with its actual seeds. When the queen had the seeds planted in her garden, she made a remark that "even though the flower was pretty, it probably does not have much fragrance". Her words were then proven to be correct when the flowers bloomed, wilted and died, without giving off any scent. People were surprised that she had known of it, and asked her about it. She explained it thus: "The painting showed no butterfly or bees beside the flowers. When he sent me this gift, Emperor Taizong was mocking me for not having a husband."

Queen Seondeok of Silla


The peony flower does not have any scent, which is why butterflies were not interested on it — implying the reason why she did not have a husband was probably because no man was interested on her (not being married was seen as something negative for one's character and status during those days). It is said that the temple Bunhwangsa (Fragrance of the Royal Temple) was built as a response to the mockery.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


Another version of that story tells that when Queen Seondeok was seven years old, her father King Jinpyeong received a box of peony seeds and a peony painting sent by Emperor Taizong of Tang. When she saw the painting, she commented that even though the flowers are pretty, it must not have much fragrance because no butterflies or bees were around them. Peonies, therefore, are equated with her wisdom and insight.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


The Legend of Jigwi is recorded in Daedongunbugunok.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


A man named Jigwi, who lived near the border of Goguryeo, went to Seorabeol and saw the queen who was passing by while on a visit to the capital city. He fell in love with her despite their difference in age and social status. He stopped eating and sleeping and did nothing but call out the queen's name all day, eventually losing his mind.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


One day, Queen Seondeok went to visit a Buddhist temple to pray. As she was passing by, Jigwi appeared while calling out the queen's name as usual. The queen's guard thrust him aside, causing a commotion. When the queen asked one of her attendants about the commotion, she was told of his story and took pity on him, and allowed him to follow her retinue to the temple. While the queen was praying inside the temple, Jigwi had to wait outside while sitting underneath a pagoda, where he fell asleep. When the queen finally emerged, she noticed Jigwi who was sleeping behind the pagoda. She asked her attendants not to disturb the sleeping man, but placed her bracelet on Jigwi's chest as a keepsake. When Jigwi woke up and saw the bracelet that she had left for him, he was so overwhelmed with joy and love for the queen, that his whole body turned into a fire. The fierce flames of his love burned down the pagoda and Jigwi himself. Some versions of the legend tell that Jigwi burned down himself and the temple to express his burning passion for the queen.

Queen Seondeok of Silla


In another version of the story, Jigwi was beaten by the palace guards for calling out the queen's name every day until he could no longer move. His soul became a fire spirit and burned down the pagoda and people's houses. The people who were scared of Jigwi's wrath asked the Queen for help, so she made a talisman for them to put in front of their houses to block away Jigwi's fire spirit.

Queen Seondeok of Silla