title: Harley-Davidson FL

text: The FLT Tour Glide was introduced in 1979 as a 1980 model. Sold alongside the existing FLH Electra Glide, the FLT had a larger frame with rubber engine mounts, a five-speed transmission, the engine, and a frame-mounted fairing. In order that the FLT frame, which was larger and heavier than the large and heavy FLH frame, would handle acceptably, the front forks were given radical steering geometry which had them mounted behind the steering head, with the frame behind the steering head being recessed to allow adequate steering lock.


title: Harley-Davidson FL

text: The FLHT was introduced in 1983. This was an Electra Glide based on the FLT Tour Glide frame, but using the Electra Glide "batwing" fairing instead of the Tour Glide frame-mounted fairing. The police version of the FLHT is the FLHTP.


title: Harley-Davidson FL

text: Except for the base FLH, all 1984 FLs were equipped with the new rubber-mounted Evolution engine and a five-speed transmission.


title: Harley-Davidson FL

text: All "Shovelhead" engines were discontinued by the 1985 model year. In that year, the four-speed solid-engine-mount FLH was modified to accept rubber mounting and the Evolution engine. The FLH was discontinued in 1986; all Touring models thereafter used the FLT/FLHT frame. The FLT Tour Glide, which introduced the current Touring frame, was dropped from the lineup in 1996. A smaller version of the frame-mounted Tour fairing would return with the FLTR Road Glide in 1998.


title: Harley-Davidson FL

text: The Evolution engine was replaced by the Twin Cam 88 engine on all large-framed Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 1999. The Twin Cam engine was enlarged from 88 cu.in. to 96  cu.in. in 2007.


title: Harley-Davidson FL

text: An unfaired version of the FLH Electra Glide, known as the FLHS Electra Glide Sport, was available from 1977 to 1984. the early versions had two into one cigar mufflers then were replaced by staggered same side duals. An unfaired FLH Electra Glide was reintroduced as the FLHS Electra Glide Sport again in 1989 through 1993, the FLHS Electra Glide Sport was eventually replaced by the FLHR Road King in 1994, which continues to the present day.


title: Harley-Davidson FL

text: For the 2009 model year, Harley-Davidson redesigned the entire touring range. The changes included a new frame, new swingarm, a completely revised engine-mounting system, 17-inch front wheels for all models except the Road King Classic, a fuel tank, and a 2-1-2 exhaust. The changes result in greater load carrying capacity, better handling, a smoother engine, longer range and less exhaust heat transmitted to the rider and passenger.


title: Harley-Davidson FL

text: Also released in the FL Touring range for the 2009 model year was the FLHTCUTG Tri Glide Ultra Classic, the first three-wheeled Harley-Davidson since the Servi-Car was discontinued in 1973. This model features a unique frame and a 103 cid engine exclusive to the trike.


title: Harley-Davidson FL

text: Harley-Davidson introduced the Softail chassis in 1984. The original Softails used the small FX telescopic forks, but the FLST Heritage Softail with large FL telescopic forks was introduced in 1986. The FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic, with large front forks and retro styling, was in production by 1988.


title: Harley-Davidson FL

text: Other Softails with big forks followed, including the 1990 introduction of the FLSTF Fat Boy and the 1993-only FLSTN "Cow Glide". The base FLST Heritage Special was discontinued in 1991. The FLSTN was continued after 1993 without the bovine motif as the Nostalgia model until 1996, it was replaced by the FLSTS Heritage Springer IN 1997. The Heritage Springer was produced through 2003, with the FLSTSC Springer Classic introduced in 2005. The Heritage Springer and Springer Classic are designated as an FL despite using Springer forks instead of the large FL telescopic forks.


title: Harley-Davidson FL

text: In 2000, all Softails, including the FL models, were switched from the Evolution engine to the counterbalanced Twin Cam 88B engine specially developed for the rigid engine mounting in this frame. The FLSTN designation returned in 2005 with the Softail Deluxe.


title: Harley-Davidson FL

text: Harley-Davidson introduced the FLD Dyna Switchback in 2012. Designed to be reminiscent of the late 1950s Duo Glide models, the Switchback is the first Dyna platform motorcycle from Harley-Davidson to use an FL front end, and is marketed as a convertible model, with removable saddlebags and windscreen allowing the user to easily convert the bike for touring use.


title: Jandhyala

text: Jandhyala Subrahmanya Sastry (14 January 1951 – 19 June 2001), known mononymously by his surname Jandhyala, was an Indian film director, screenwriter, playwright, and actor known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He is popularly known as Hasya Brahma (). In a career spanning more than two decades, he directed over 40 films and wrote the dialogue for more than 300 films. He won three state Nandi Awards one each for Best Director, Best Story Writer, and Best Dialogue Writer and one Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu. "The Hindu" referred to him as the 'King of Comedy in Tollywood'.


title: Jandhyala

text: Jandhyala was interested in theatre right from his childhood. In his college days, he wrote many plays that became popular. He later entered the film industry in 1976 and established himself as a versatile writer penning commercial blockbusters such as "Adavi Ramudu" (1977), "Vetagadu" (1979) as well as critically-acclaimed films like "Siri Siri Muvva" (1976), "Sankarabharanam" (1980).


title: Jandhyala

text: He later turned director with the film "Mudda Mandaram" (1981)"." His notable films as a director include "Nalugu Sthambalata" (1982)", Ananda Bhairavi" (1983)", Srivariki Premalekha" (1984), "Rendu Rellu Aaru" (1986)", Seetharama Kalyanam" (1986"), Chantabbai" (1986), "Padamati Sandhya Ragam" (1987), "Aha Naa Pellanta!" (1987), "Vivaha Bhojanambu" (1988), "Choopulu Kalasina Subhavela" (1988), "Jayammu Nischayammu Raa" (1989), "Babai Hotel" (1992).


title: Jandhyala

text: He also wrote the dialogue for National Award-winning films such as "Saptapadi" (1981), "Seethakoka Chilaka" (1981), "Sagara Sangamam" (1983), and "Swathi Kiranam" (1992). His other famous works as a writer include "Sommokadidi Sokokadidi" (1978), "Nireekshana" (1986), "Aakhari Poratam" (1988), "Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari" (1990), "Aditya 369" (1991), "Govinda Govinda" (1994). He also acted in the 1992 film "Aapadbandhavudu" which won him critical acclaim.


title: Jandhyala

text: Jandhyala introduced Naresh, Dharmavarapu Subramanyam, Suthi Velu to Telugu cinema. Actors like Brahmanandam, Rajendra Prasad, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Suthi Veerabhadra Rao, Gundu Hanumantha Rao, Sri Lakshmi became established comic actors through his films.


title: Jandhyala

text: Jandhyala was born as 'Jandhyala Venkata Durga Siva Subrahmanya Sastry' into a middle-class family on 14 January 1951 in Narasapuram, West Godavari district of present-day Andhra Pradesh. He completed his B.Com in SRR & CVR Govt. Degree College in Vijayawada. C. Aswani Dutt, who would later go on to become a noted producer, was Jandhyala's childhood friend. They were classmates from fourth standard till their graduation and also lived in neighbouring houses.


title: Jandhyala

text: He acted as a child artist in the drama troupe of . He continued acting in his college days. In 1969, he won the best actor prize for "Tasmath Jagratha" at an inter-university drama competition. His first short story was published in "Andhra Prabha" when he was only 12. Jandhyala once noted, ""Kanyasulkam" and "Keerthi Seshulu" inspired me to write stage plays. I read them several times like text books<nowiki>"</nowiki>. The first play written by him was "Jeevana Jyothi". His later plays like "Ek Din Ka Sultan, Gundelu Marchabadunu, O Cheekati Ratri," "Mandodari Mahila Mandali" etc. became popular. "Ek Din Ka Sultan" won him accolades and was translated into several languages. His social play "Sandhyaraagamlo Sankhaaraavam" was acclaimed and paved the way for his entry into the film industry.


title: Jandhyala

text: In 1974, Jandhyala came to Chennai to stage his play "Sandhyaraagamlo Sankhaaraavam." The veteran filmmaker B. N. Reddy who watched the play was so impressed that he signed Jandhyala to work on a film based on the novel "O Punya Bhoomi Kallu Theru". Due to B. N. Reddy's ill health, the project did not materialise.


title: Jandhyala

text: Later, A. Ananda Mohan signed him for "" and V. Hanuman Prasad signed him for "". His first released film was "Devudu Chesina Bommalu" (1976). "Pelli Kani Pelli" released later in 1977. K. Viswanath's "Siri Siri Muvva" (1976) became a big hit and Jandhyala became popular as a writer. He established himself as a versatile writer penning commercial potboilers such as "Adavi Ramudu" (1977), "Vetagadu" (1979) as well as critically-acclaimed films like "Seetamalakshmi" (1976), "Sankarabharanam" (1980). He was a very busy writer from 19761981 and wrote nearly 200 films in those five years. He worked in various roles as a story writer, screenplay writer, and dialogue writer. He was working on four or five films at any given time during that period.


title: Jandhyala

text: Jandhyala turned director with the film "Mudda Mandaram" in the year 1981. He continued writing other directors' films while directing his own films. As Jandhyala noted in one of his last interviews, he wrote over 150 films from 19812001 and directed a total of 42 films. After "Mudda Mandaram", he directed the romantic drama "Nalugu Stambhalata" (1982), and the Telugu-Kannada bilingual dance film "Ananda Bhairavi" (1983) which was screened at the International Film Festival of India. "Ananda Bhairavi" won the state Nandi Awards for Best Feature Film, Best Direction, and Best Story.


title: Jandhyala

text: He then directed the dramedy works such as "Rendu Jella Sita" (1983), "Srivariki Premalekha", (1984), "Rendu Rellu Aaru" (1986), "Chantabbai" (1986), "Padamati Sandhya Ragam" (1987), "Vivaha Bhojanambu" (1988), "Choopulu Kalasina Subhavela" (1988). "Padamati Sandhya Ragam" received the Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu, and Nandi Award for Best Story. Other films he directed during this time include a film on national integration called "Nelavanka" (1983), "Amarajeevi" (1983), a romance film with Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jaya Prada, and "Seetharama Kalyanam" (1986) starring Balakrishna and Rajani. The last film he directed was "Vichitram" (1998) which starred Ghazal Srinivas in the lead role.


title: Jandhyala

text: Jandhyala also wrote the dialogue for National Award winning films such as "Sankarabharanam" (1980), "Saptapadi" (1981), "Seethakoka Chiluka" (1981), "Sagara Sangamam" (1983), and "Swathi Kiranam" (1992). His other famous works as a writer include "Sommokadidi Sokokadidi" (1978), "Nireekshana" (1986), "Aakhari Poratam" (1988), "Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari" (1990), "Aditya 369" (1991), "Govinda Govinda" (1994). Jandhyala listed "Sankarabharanam", "Saptapadi", "Adavi Ramudu" as his favourite films among those he penned the dialogues for.


title: Jandhyala

text: In a film career spanning twenty five years, Jandhyala won three state Nandi Awards and a Filmfare Award South. He collaborated with directors K. Raghavendra Rao and K. Viswanath on many of their hit films. E. V. V. Satyanarayana worked as an assistant director to Jandhyala in 22 films for eight years and later went on to become a noted director. Jandhyala also wrote children's stories, and more than 27 stage and radio plays. He also acted in hundreds of stage plays in his career. He was also a popular television anchor and wrote television scripts. He was also an occasional dubbing artist and lent his voice in a few films.


title: Jandhyala

text: He died on 19 June 2001, due to a massive heart attack, at 50, and after completing his silver jubilee year in film industry.


title: Jandhyala

text: Though famous as a comedy director, he directed films in other genres too. Drama film "Nelavanka", dance film "Ananda Bhairavi", romance films "Amarajeevi, Seeta Rama Kalyanam" are some of his famous films in non-comedy genres.


title: Jandhyala

text: Jandhyala disliked ribald comedy. He preferred simple and natural dialogues. He believed that dialogues should be realistic conversations with which the audience could easily identify themselves with, and enjoy. Regarding his comedic style, A. Saye Sekhar of "The Hindu" writes,"In his dialogue-writing and also direction in his time, Jandhyala took sensitive potshots at the doings of assorted nabobs, stuffed shirts in typical Telugu families, village footpads, miserable misers, secret polluters, tax evaders, preening lawyers, idiosyncratic doctors, oily accountants, defendants who got off too easily and celebrities who talked too much."In his career as a screenwriter, he worked in various roles as a story writer, screenplay writer, and dialogue writer. As a screenwriter, Jandhyala was known for his versatility penning commercial blockbusters such as "Adavi Ramudu", "Vetagadu" as well as critically-acclaimed films like "Siri Siri Muvva", "Sankarabharanam". He wrote films in various genres like the action film "Aakhari Poratam", fantasy film "Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari", science fiction film "Aditya 369", supernatural thriller "Govinda Govinda", films based on classical art forms like "Siri Siri Muvva", "Sankarabharanam", "Sagara Sangamam", "Swathi Kiranam".


title: Jandhyala

text: Actors like Rajendra Prasad, Brahmanandam, Naresh, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Suthi Velu, Suthi Veerabhadra Rao, Gundu Hanumantha Rao, Sri Lakshmi became established comic actors through his films.


title: Jandhyala

text: Jandhyala is popularly known as 'Hasya Brahma' (). "The Hindu" referred to him as the 'King of Comedy in Tollywood'. "Idlebrain.com" noted, "Before his movies, comedy was a small part of movies and comedians were sidekicks to the hero or villain. Jandhyala proved to the Telugu film industry that comedy can itself be a full-length subject and achieved a great success in this endeavor." His films are well known as clean entertainers affable to the family audiences without any obscene language or double entendre.


title: Jandhyala

text: "Aha Naa Pellanta!" is considered one of the best comedy films in Telugu cinema. A bronze bust of Jandhyala was put up on the premises of Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada in January 2005.


title: Jandhyala

text: Brahmanandam considered Jandhyala to be the best comedy director he has ever worked with. Noted screenwriter V. Vijayendra Prasad expressed his admiration for Jandhyala. Filmmaker Tharun Bhascker mentions Jandhyala as one of the inspirations on his directorial sensibilities. Director and screenwriter Anil Ravipudi cited Jandhyala as the biggest inspiration in his career. “I grew up watching Jandhyala films. I have watched video cassettes of all his films. He provided healthy comedy. I took inspiration from him to provide entertainment in all my films,” he said.


The 2022 monkeypox outbreak in the United States is part of the larger outbreak of human monkeypox caused by the West African clade of the monkeypox virus. The United States was the fourth country, outside of the African countries with endemic monkeypox, to experience an outbreak in 2022. The first case was documented in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 19, 2022. As of August 22, monkeypox has spread to all 50 states in the United States, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The United States has the highest number of monkeypox cases in the world. California has the highest number of monkeypox cases in the United States.


title: 2022 monkeypox outbreak in the United States

text: On August 4, 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared monkeypox a public health emergency in the United States. Wyoming was the last and most recent state in the United States to report at least one monkeypox case.


text: An ongoing outbreak of monkeypox was confirmed on May 6, 2022, beginning with a British resident who, after travelling to Nigeria (where the disease is endemic), presented symptoms consistent with monkeypox on April 29, 2022. The resident returned to the United Kingdom on May 4, creating the country's index case of the outbreak. The origin of several of the cases of monkeypox in the United Kingdom is unknown. Some monitors saw community transmission taking place in the London area as of mid-May, but it has been suggested that cases were already spreading in Europe in the previous months.


text: A large portion of those infected were believed to have not recently traveled to areas of Africa where monkeypox is normally found, such as Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as central and western Africa. It is believed to be transmitted by close contact with sick people, with extra caution for those individuals with lesions on their skin or genitals, along with their bedding and clothing. The CDC has also stated that individuals should avoid contact and consumption of dead animals such as rats, squirrels, monkeys and apes along with wild game or lotions derived from animals in Africa.


text: In addition to more common symptoms, such as fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes or lesions, some patients have also experienced proctitis, an inflammation of the rectum lining. CDC has also warned clinicians to not rule out monkeypox in patients with sexually transmitted infections since there have been reports of co-infections with syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes.


text: The CDC has stated that, among monkeypox cases with available data, 99% occurred in men, 94% of whom reported recent male-to-male sexual or close intimate contact.


text: The 2022 monkeypox outbreak in California As of July 2022, the virus has infected 4,886 people in the U.S. state of California, with 1 death. The state has the highest number of recorded cases in the country.


text: Florida currently has 2,444 people infected by the virus, with no deaths. It started on May 23, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale and quickly started spreading across the State.


text: The 2022 monkeypox outbreak in New York currently has no deaths. This state has the second highest number of recorded cases in the country with 3,679 cases.


text: The first known case was detected on May 18, 2022, in a man from Boston, Massachusetts, who had traveled to Canada, where a case of the virus was reported the following day. The person was hospitalized in Boston. There, he tested positive for monkeypox, becoming the first case in the United States.


text: Two days after the man tested positive for the virus, other states began reporting cases, with New York reporting its first case on May 21. On May 22, President Biden gave a speech at Osan Air Base in South Korea during which he indicated the disease was "something that everybody should be concerned about". On May 26, Virginia reported its first case in a woman who had traveled to Africa, followed by California and Hawaii on June 4, 2022. As of June 3, the United States had 21 confirmed cases, a number which had risen to 460 as of July 1.


text: On May 23, 2022, Florida reported a case of monkeypox. On the same day, the "Tampa Bay Times" reported that the Florida Department of Health had announced the case on a man that had been isolated since the day before. WESH later on also confirmed the case, which was in Broward County. The following day, WESH reported another monkeypox case as being "investigated". The case was then confirmed to be in the same county as the first case, adding up the total in the county to two. Later, a third case was also investigated, this time being reported by CBS Miami to also be in the same county as the first and second case. This case added up the total in the United States to 18. A fourth case was reported by the "Sun-Sentinel", although the state of Florida did not disclose the county where it was detected.


text: In early June 2022, a man in Washington, D.C., was reported to test positive for orthopox, potentially monkeypox.


text: On July 26, 2022, the United States had more monkeypox cases than any other country. At the end of August 2022, there were early signs that the monkeypox spread in the U.S. may be slowing.


text: On 18 May 2022, Bavarian Nordic announced that BARDA, part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), exercised a $119 million option, under a $299 million contract, to supply a freeze-dried version of JYNNEOS vaccine, converting existing bulk vaccine. The United States spent $119 million to purchase doses of the Modified vaccinia Ankara-based two-shot Jynneos vaccine from Bavarian Nordic in May 2022. The contract also allows the United States to purchase an additional $180 million worth of the vaccine at a later date. The vaccine, JYNNEOS (also known by the brand names Imvamune and Imvanex), was approved by FDA in 2019 to prevent both smallpox and monkeypox. As of June 14, the United States had around 70,000 doses of JYNNEOS in its stockpile, and the federal government placed an order for 500,000 more on June 10, 2022. Dawn O'Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), said around 300,000 doses would be delivered in June-July 2022, and the remainder would be delivered later in that year.


text: In addition, the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) holds over 100 million doses of an older smallpox vaccine (ACAM2000).


text: As of June 28, the Biden administration was allocating tens of thousands of vaccine doses from the Strategic National Stockpile to clinics nation-wide. The rollout of vaccines and testing was criticized as too slow, as well as for having similar problems to the rollout of vaccines and tests during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.


text: The United States government's response is coordinated by the National Security Council Directorate on Global Health Security and Biodefense – more commonly known as the White House Pandemic Office – in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The White House Pandemic Office had previously reinstated Dr. Beth Cameron to the executive position. The HHS is overseen by Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra.


text: As of June 29, HHS has received requests from 32 states and jurisdictions, deploying over 9,000 doses of JYNNEOS vaccine and 300 courses of ST-246 (tecovirimat) antiviral smallpox treatments. The United States expanded deployment of JYNNEOS vaccines, allocating 296,000<ref name="hhs.gov/2022/07/01"></ref><ref name="hhs.gov/2022/07/15"></ref> doses over the coming weeks, 56,000 of which will be allocated immediately. Over the coming months a combined 2.5 million additional doses will become available.


text: As of November 2022, New York state ended its state of emergency, mobile mass vaccination sites set up since summer in New York city closed, but vaccinations were moved to outpatient and sexual health clinics.


text: Hospitals have begun making their own preparations to help control the current monkeypox outbreak, including screening patients, increasing decontamination and cleaning procedures, and wearing appropriate safety gear when interacting with infected patients.


title: Flag of NATO

text: The flag of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) consists of a dark blue field charged with a white compass rose emblem, with four white lines radiating from the four cardinal directions. Adopted three years after the creation of NATO, it has been the flag of NATO since October 14, 1953. The blue color symbolizes the Atlantic Ocean, while the circle stands for unity.


title: Flag of NATO

text: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established on April 4, 1949, when twelve nations signed the North Atlantic Treaty to counteract the perceived threat from the Soviet Union.


title: Flag of NATO

text: The first flag used by NATO was unveiled October 5, 1951, by Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who helped design it. The 1951 flag consisted of a green field with the coat of arms of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), which still uses the flag.


title: Flag of NATO

text: NATO began looking for an emblem to differentiate it from SHAPE, a task handled by the newly formed Information Policy Working Group. After several discussions, it concluded that a flag for the organization containing its emblem was necessary, and that it would recommend this to the North Atlantic Council.


title: Flag of NATO

text: The council stipulated that the design had to be "simple and striking," in addition to highlighting the "peaceful purpose" of the Treaty; several proposals were rejected. An emblem of NATO was finally adopted on October 14, 1953. The decision was announced by Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay – the first Secretary General of NATO – exactly two weeks later on October 28, where he also elaborated on the symbolism behind the chosen design. He described the flag as "simple and inoffensive." However, the flag was not universally well-received, and attracted criticism from for instance US Congressman John Travers Wood, who condemned the flag as a "strange and alien rag." He made the remarks in light of an alleged incident where the flag of the United States was reportedly replaced by the NATO flag in Norfolk, Virginia, the headquarters of the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic.


title: Flag of NATO

text: The modern flag was first hoisted on November 9, 1953, at the opening ceremony of the Atlantic Exhibition in Paris. However, little is known about the occasion, since no documentation of the speech delivered at the event exists.


title: Flag of NATO

text: The colors of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The dark blue field represents the Atlantic Ocean, while the circle stands for unity among the member states of NATO. The compass rose symbolizes the direction towards the path of peace, the goal that member states strive for; it has been updated once.


title: Flag of NATO

text: When the North Atlantic Council decided in late 1969 to make the Brussels NATO site a permanent home, the question was raised of lending a prestigious note to the empty courtyard of the main entrance. Consultant architects were invited to come up with a solution to embellish the forecourt, known as the Cour d’Honneur. Following a suggestion made by the Greek representative, Belgian architect Raymond Huyberechts designed a motif inspired by the NATO logo: a stylised “rose des vents” cut by two circles representing the old and new continent. It would be made of factory-oxidised steel whose red-brown tint would not be affected by atmospheric agents. The Council expressed their preference for this motif when the model was presented at a meeting held on 17 March 1970. The sculpture is affectionately known as the “NATO star”. The NATO star is 7 metres high, between 4.2 and 7 metres wide.


title: Flag of NATO

text: Originally budgeted at 1.5 million Belgian francs, the sculpture was erected in mid-August 1971 and an opening reception took place on 10 September 1971. On 1 October 1971, Joseph Luns became the first NATO Secretary General to have his photo taken with the star. As part of the move to NATO’s new headquarters, the star moved across Boulevard Leopold III to its new home on Saturday 28 May 2016. The star is surrounded by the flags of the NATO member countries.


title: Chettinad

text: Chettinad (also known as Chettinadu) is a region located mainly in the Sivaganga district historically ruled by Ramnad kingdom of Pandya Nadu and has a small portion extending into the Pudukottai District in Tamil Nadu, India..Karaikudi and Devekottai are the Major Towns of this Area


title: Chettinad

text: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many residents of Chettinad were trading in South and Southeast Asia, particularly Burma, Ceylon, Vietnam and Malaysia. By 2010, only 74 villages remained of the original 96, organized in clusters spread over a territory of in the Districts of Sivagangai and Pudukottai in the State of Tamil Nadu. It finds itself in the UNESCO nomination for palatial house sites of historic and cultural value.


title: Chettinad

text: Chettinad is the home of the Nattukottai Chettiars (Nagarathar), a prosperous banking and business community and for high hierarchy, non-Brahmin Vallambar (Vellalar) feudal community with an aristocrat title Nattar - Ambalam. It is also known for its local cuisine, architecture, and religious temples.


title: Chettinad

text: The word "Chettiar" refers to the social caste of mercantile bankers. The "Chettiars" are known to be traders in salt and spices and this is reflected in the Chettinad cuisine. Meals also consist of cooked lentils, Brinjal curry, drumstick sambar, ghee for flavouring rice, and sweet meals like "payasam" and "paal paniyaram". In general, beef and pork dishes are not served. Some well-known local dishes are Chicken Chettinad (spicy chicken curry), Vegetable Chettinad (a vegetable curry) and dishes featuring seafood.


title: Chettinad

text: The Chettinad region is well known for its 19th-century mansions, whose wide courtyards and spacious rooms are embellished with marble and teak. Construction materials, decorative items, and furnishings were mostly imported from East Asian countries and Europe. The marble was brought from Italy, chandeliers and teak from Burma, crockery from Indonesia, crystals from Europe and wall-to-wall mirrors from Belgium.


title: Chettinad

text: Many of these mansions were built using a type of limestone known as "karai." Local legend has it that the mansion walls were polished with a paste made out of egg whites to give them a smooth texture.


title: Chettinad

text: Originally built by early Tamil dynasties like the Cholas, the temples of Chettinad stand testimony to the spiritual beliefs of local people. Temples are built per Vaastu Shastras and Agamas as the Chettinad wealthy sponsored the buildings and the "shilpis" after the royal families declined. On the side note, traditional houses were also built per ancient text on an architecture called Vaastu Shastras.


title: Chettinad

text: Each temple has its own tank called "oorani" where water lilies are grown and used for holy rituals. Even today, much of Chettinad's daily activities are centered around the festivities of the temple. Among the many famous temples are: Vairavan Kovil, Iraniyur, Karpaga Vinayakar, Kundrakudi Murugan, Kottaiyur Sivan, and Kandanur Sivan temples, with each having its own unique deity.


title: Chettinad

text: Vinayagar Chathurthi is celebrated every year, on the day when the two stars Shasti and Sadhayam mingle together. This day typically falls as the 22nd day after Periya Karthigai. Pillaiyar Nonmbu, its name, is usually in the month of December. On this day, they sing songs of the deity Lord Vinayagar and then take a sweet called "Ellai".


title: Chettinad

text: The cotton sari, also known as "kandaangi", is unique in its dramatic patterns and colors. Its vibrance and weight are its distinguishing factors. Records and old photographs show the use of sari by previous generations, before the advent of blouses and underskirts, and thus worn rather differently from the typical contemporary sari. At present, it is available in Kundi


title: Chettinad

text: Athangudi tiles, named after the place of the manufacture in Chettinad, come in a myriad of colours and patterns, and are made by a unique process using local soil and glass plates. These tiles are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Chettiar community, who effectively adapted many influences to their own brand of local craftsmanship. The designs and colours used in Athangudi tiles are still those of a bygone era. However, of late, new designs and patterns are being incorporated.


title: Chettinad

text: The Athangudi tiles are hand-made. However, with a short shelf life and relatively slow manufacturing process, these tiles are not much in demand. The situation has led to the decline in the market.


title: Chettinad

text: Chettinad's principal town, Karaikudi is also the location of a branch of the Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (CECRI), one of the forty national laboratories under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in New Delhi. The CSIR lab specializes in electro-chemical research and has been operational for more than fifty years. The campus is on over 300 scenic acres, filled with traditional and ornamental vegetation. CECRI conducts four-year Engineering and Technology courses in chemical and electro-chemical engineering and technology affiliated with the Anna University in Chennai.


title: Chettinad

text: The nearest airports are Madurai Airport and Tiruchirappalli International Airport while the largest towns in the area are Karaikudi and Devakottai. Trains that run from Chennai to Rameshwaram stop at Pudukkottai, Karaikudi, Kanadukaathan (Chettinad Station), Devakottai and Kallal. Karaikudi Junction railway station is the major station. Karaikkudi and Aranthangi railway station. There are also frequent town buses connects Chettinad to Karaikudi, Ponnamaravathy, Devakottai Pudukkottai and Aranthangi.


The 2016 United States presidential election in Colorado was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, as part of the 2016 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. Colorado voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, businessman Donald Trump, and running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence against Democratic Party nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her running mate Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. Colorado has nine electoral votes in the Electoral College.


title: 2016 United States presidential election in Colorado

text: Clinton received 48.2% of the vote, carrying the state's nine electoral votes. Trump received 43.3% of the vote, thus marking a Democratic margin of victory of 4.9%. This was the fourth time since Colorado had achieved statehood that the Republican nominee won the election without carrying Colorado, the first three having been in 1896, 1900, and 1908 (all when the Democratic nominee was William Jennings Bryan of neighboring Nebraska, a populist with unusual popularity in the traditionally Republican West); and the second time Colorado has voted Democratic in three consecutive presidential elections, the first having been the elections of 1908, 1912, and 1916. Trump became the first Republican to win the White House without carrying Jefferson, Arapahoe, or Larimer Counties since William McKinley in 1900.


text: At the same time, Trump flipped five counties in the state: Conejos, Chaffee, Huerfano, Las Animas, and Pueblo. The last two had not supported a Republican presidential candidate since Richard Nixon's landslide in 1972. Despite Clinton's victory, this is the sole election since Colorado's Democratic winning streak from 2008 forward that the Democratic candidate's percentage in the state was held to only a plurality.


text: From April 2–8, 2016, conventions were held in each of Colorado's seven congressional districts. Cruz swept all seven, winning 21 delegates total. On April 9, 2016, the state convention was held to elect the 13 statewide delegates and the 3 RNC delegates. Again, Cruz won all 13 statewide at-large delegates. Cruz was also the only candidate to address the state convention.


text: A proposal to forbid Colorado Republican delegates from voting for Donald Trump was written in March 2016 by Robert Zubrin. The group "Colorado Republicans for Liberty" handed out fliers of Zubrin's resolution at the state's convention. Irregularities on the ballot were discovered at the state's convention. Delegate #379 (Jerome Parks, a Trump delegate) was replaced on the ballot with a duplicate of delegate #378 (a Ted Cruz delegate). The Colorado Republican Party's Twitter account posted the message "We did it #NeverTrump" after Cruz received all the bound delegates at the April convention. The party claims somebody hacked its Twitter account, and the party claims to be investigating how the message was posted. In May 2015, the Colorado Senate defeated a bill to hold a 2016 presidential primary. State senators Kevin Grantham, Kent Lambert, Laura J. Woods, and Jerry Sonnenberg voted to stop the bill. Sonnenberg, Woods, Grantham, and Lambert are members of the Ted Cruz "Colorado Leadership Team" for Ted Cruz. Congressman Ken Buck and Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams are also members of the Ted Cruz "Colorado Leadership Team".


text: The conventions were selected through statewide caucuses, which were conducted at the precinct level on March 1. No voter preference poll was held due to a decision in August by the state party to cancel it.


text: Marco Rubio and Ben Carson had dropped out of the race by the time the conventions were held, though they were still running during the March 1 caucuses.


text: On April 3, the Green Party of Colorado held a presidential nominating convention in Centennial, Colorado, for registered Green voters.


text: On April 4, the Green Party of Colorado announced that Jill Stein had won the convention and received all 5 delegates.


text: Throughout the race, Clinton lead in almost every poll in margins varying between 1 and 11 points, with a few polls showing a tie or a Trump lead. One of the last polls showed a tie between Clinton and Trump, but the last poll showed Clinton leading Trump 50% to 45%, which was very accurate compared to the results. The average of the last three polls showed Clinton leading Trump 44% to 41%.


text: Historically, Colorado has been, following the Bryan-Wilson period, one of the most Republican states in the nation. From 1920 through 2004, Colorado voted Democratic only five times—in Franklin Roosevelt's two landslide wins in 1932 and 1936; for Harry Truman in 1948; in Lyndon Johnson's landslide win in 1964; and for Bill Clinton in 1992, with Ross Perot running substantially ahead of his national showing in the state. (With the shrinkage of the Perot vote in 1996, Colorado, along with Montana, another Western state where Perot had performed exceptionally well, reverted to Dole.) Before 2016, no Republican had won without Colorado since 1908.


text: However, increasing urbanization in the Front Range Urban Corridor, along with the growth of minority populations (especially Hispanics) have chipped away from Republican dominance in the state: while President George W. Bush won the state in the 2004 election, it was one of the few states where Republican performance fell (with Bush's margin being nearly halved with respect to 2000), presaging Barack Obama's two Colorado wins in 2008 and 2012.


text: Trump did improve upon previous Republican candidates in Southern Colorado, carrying three of the area's counties (Conejos County, Las Animas County and Huerfano County), a feat not accomplished by any Republican since George H. W. Bush in his decisive 1988 victory. He also carried Pueblo County by a 0.49% margin, becoming the first Republican to carry it since 1972. Southern Colorado, a blue-collar, working-class, industrial area, had once been the state's Democratic stronghold, but Democratic dominance of the region is starting to fade. Trump also did well in the traditionally Republican Western Slope, where counties such as Mesa County (home to Grand Junction) went for Trump by a 2–1 margin and the Eastern Plains, where Republicans often carried counties by 80% or more.


text: However, as is with the case with Nevada and other states in the American Southwest that have been experiencing increasing urbanization and a rapidly growing Hispanic population, Clinton won by running up the margins in the rapidly growing metro areas of the state, in this case principally Denver and its suburbs, as well as Boulder and Fort Collins. Hillary Clinton exceeded Obama's performance in the City and County of Denver and Boulder County. While these had long been the Democrats' main base in Colorado, Republicans had typically managed at least a quarter of the vote in the former and at least 30% in the latter when Colorado was a Republican state. In contrast, Trump managed only 18.9% and 22.0% in the two jurisdictions, respectively. Hillary Clinton did not improve on Obama in Larimer County (home of Fort Collins), but she did win the county, which had voted Republican in every election from 1920 through 2004 save 1936, 1964, and 1992, and Trump posted the worst showing for a Republican in the county since 1992. Also, while rural western Colorado leans Republican, it is not nearly as strongly conservative as other rural areas, as much of the economy on the I-70 corridor is based on tourism and outdoors recreation and has a liberal environmentalist bent: rural counties with heavily tourist based economies such as Gunnison, Eagle, Routt, Pitkin and La Plata are not only some of the most Democratic rural areas in America, but often vote nearly as Democratic as large urban counties.


text: Similarly, even though Hillary Clinton did not improve on Obama's showing in the suburban Denver-area counties of Arapahoe and Jefferson, she nevertheless carried both, both of which had been Republican strongholds up through 2004. Trump posted some of the worst results Republicans have had in decades in this region. Trump only won 39% of the vote in Arapahoe County, which includes some of the largest Denver suburbs such as Aurora and Centennial; before Obama won this county in 2008, this county had not gone Democratic since 1964. Trump won only one county in the metro area (Douglas County—home to suburbs such as Parker, Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock), but with only 54% of the vote—one of the poorest performances in the area's most Republican county in decades. Only in Adams County, the one county in the area outside the city of Denver itself that had been a Democratic stronghold prior to 2008, did Trump manage to improve upon Romney, but even here he was barely above 40% of the vote.


text: Meanwhile, while Trump did win the one remaining large Republican stronghold in the state, El Paso County (home of Colorado Springs), he won with only 56% of the vote, performing worse in the county than McCain in 2008 or Dole in 1996. The confluence of Hillary Clinton's strength in Denver, Boulder, and the Denver suburbs, and Trump's weakness in El Paso County, ultimately handed the state to Clinton.


text: In downballot races, Mike Coffman was ultimately able to hold on to his seat in a Clinton-carried district around Arapahoe County. Democrats made big gains in this area in the State House and Senate. However, Republicans were able to gain a seat in Adams County, ultimately holding on to the State Senate.


title: Garden hermit

text: Garden hermits or ornamental hermits were hermits (solitaries) encouraged to live in purpose-built hermitages, follies, grottoes, or rockeries on the estates of wealthy landowners, primarily during the 18th century. Such hermits would be encouraged to remain permanently on site, where they could be fed, cared for, and consulted for advice, or viewed for entertainment.


title: Garden hermit

text: Professor Gordon Campbell, of the University of Leicester, suggests that Francis of Paola was among the first of the trend, living as a hermit in the early 15th century in a cave on his father's estate. He later served as a confidant and advisor to King Charles VIII.


title: Garden hermit

text: Thereafter, throughout France, estates of dukes and other lords often included small chapels or other buildings where a resident hermit could remain in attendance. According to Campbell, the first estate with a well-known hermitage (which included a small house, chapel and garden) was Château de Gaillon, renovated by Charles Cardinal de Bourbon during the 16th century.


title: Garden hermit

text: In the 1590s William Cecil and Robert Cecil twice welcomed Elizabeth I to Theobalds House near London with entertainments delivered by a hermit. Garden hermits became popular with British aristocracy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. Contemporary accounts suggest the Weld family kept an ornamental hermit in a purpose-built hermitage on the Lulworth Estate in Dorset. Of equivalent novelty, the Welds also maintained a "mimic" fort and harbour beside an adjoining lake. Both Painshill and Hawkstone Park were said to have employed ornamental hermits. The one at Painshill, hired by The Hon. Charles Hamilton for a seven-year term under strict conditions, lasted three weeks until he was sacked after being discovered in a local pub.


title: Garden hermit

text: The trend continued through the 1830s, when the idea became less popular as estate landscaping concepts evolved.


title: Garden hermit

text: Even in the 18th and 19th centuries, garden hermits were novelties and eccentricities. Grottos had become more popular during the 18th century as places to withdraw for meditation, relaxation, and reflection. With an increased focus on industrialism and production, contemplative garden meditation was viewed by some as an extravagance. With the lack of personal free time in combination with an increase in disposable income, the popularity of "natural" garden landscaping and the rise of neoclassical culture established an environment in which the idea of garden hermits as novelty guests became popular.


title: Garden hermit

text: In some early instances, hermits were simply represented or hinted-at, rather than personified; outside a folly or grotto, a small table and chair, reading glasses and a classical text might be placed suggesting that it was where a hermit lived. Later, suggestions of hermits were replaced with actual hermits – men hired for the sole purpose of inhabiting a small structure and functioning as any other garden ornament. Hermits would sometimes be asked to make themselves available to guests, answering questions and providing counsel. In some cases, the hermits would not communicate with visitors, functioning instead like a perpetual stage play or live diorama.


title: Garden hermit

text: In return for their services-in-residence, hermits would generally receive a stipend in addition to room and board.


The 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League Final will be the final match of the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League, the second season of Europe's tertiary club football tournament organised by UEFA. It is scheduled to be played on 7 June 2023 at Fortuna Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.


title: 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League Final

text: The winners will qualify to enter the group stage of the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League, unless they have already qualified for the Champions League or Europa League through their league performance (in which case the access list will be rebalanced).


text: The Fortuna Arena previously hosted the 2013 UEFA Super Cup, as well as four matches at the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, including the final.


text: A bidding process was launched by UEFA to select the venues of the finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League for both 2022 and 2023. Associations interested in hosting one of the finals had until 20 February 2020 to submit bid dossiers.


text: The decision was originally scheduled to be made by the UEFA Executive Committee during their meeting on 3 December 2020. However, UEFA later decided to reopen the bidding process after appointing the host for the 2022 final only. Member associations had until 30 September 2021 to confirm their intention to submit a bid, while the bids must be submitted by 23 February 2022. Six associations expressed interest in hosting the final.


text: The UEFA Executive Committee appointed the Fortuna Arena as the host during their meeting in Vienna, Austria, on 10 May 2022.


text: The original identity of the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League Final was unveiled at the group stage draw on 26 August 2022.


text: The ambassador for the final is former Czech international Vladimír Šmicer, who won 2000-01 UEFA Cup and 2004–05 UEFA Champions League with Liverpool.


text: The "home" team (for administrative purposes) will be determined by an additional draw to be held after the quarter-final and semi-final draws.


title: Oh Sherrie

text: "Oh Sherrie" is the debut solo single by American singer Steve Perry. Written by Perry, Randy Goodrum, Craig Krampf and Bill Cuomo, the song was recorded and released on Perry's first solo album "Street Talk" in 1984, which he released while still a member of Journey. The song is often regarded as an "honorary" Journey song, being credited to the band on several hit compilation albums and in other media, largely due to its resemblance to the band's trademark sound, as well as their performances of the song on the Raised on Radio Tour, which proved to be Perry's live swansong with the band. The song is written in F major.


title: Oh Sherrie

text: The song was Perry's biggest hit as a solo artist and written for his then-girlfriend Sherrie Swafford, who also appeared in the music video. The song hit number three on the pop chart and number one on the rock chart in the United States, partly aided in its success by a music video released to promote the song, which received heavy airplay on MTV.


title: Oh Sherrie

text: Two of the song's co-writers and supporting musicians, Bill Cuomo and Craig Krampf, earlier performed on Kim Carnes' signature song "Bette Davis Eyes" in 1981. Cuomo, who performed the keyboard riff on "Oh Sherrie," was the musician responsible for the keyboard riff on "Bette Davis Eyes", and Krampf was the drummer on "Bette Davis Eyes" while Larrie Londin was the drummer for "Oh Sherrie". Cuomo, Krampf and Perry had started composing the song at approximately midnight with little more than the simple chorus of "Oh Sherrie" and "Hold on, hold on" plus a few simple sounds. Swafford had been in the room with them initially, but had gone to sleep because of the late hour.


title: Oh Sherrie

text: The video was shot at the historic entertainment venue the Park Plaza Hotel - now called the MacArthur, located at 607 South Park View St. in Los Angeles, CA.


title: Oh Sherrie

text: The video opens with what appears to be an elaborate formal Royal Wedding, complete with a bride in a large wedding dress, various Royal Court members, trumpet players, minister, and a man wearing a royal robe and a crown. As the bride approaches the altar and groom, she kneels, he takes off his crown revealing he is Steve Perry. He complains he cannot perform this scene. The director yells "cut!" and the camera pulls back to reveal this was an elaborate movie set. The scene is restarted, and again Perry announces he cannot do the scene, claiming it is too pretentious. Stripping off his crown and costume, ignoring various people who want his attention, Perry walks over to a quiet corner. He begins singing a cappella, the first lines of the song


title: Oh Sherrie

text: He continues two more lines, then the music starts. As he sings, below at a large entrance similar to a church or a train station, his girlfriend Sherrie walks in wearing a white skirt. He continues singing, then runs downstairs to sing to her, as she smiles and laughs. He then embraces her as the song ends. As the director calls out to Perry, imploring him to resume the video, Perry escorts Sherrie out as they exit, with his arm around her.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: The battle of Dak To () in Vietnam was a series of major engagements of the Vietnam War that took place between 3 and 23 November 1967, in Kon Tum Province, in the Central Highlands of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The action at Đắk Tô was one of a series of People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) offensive initiatives that began during the second half of the year. PAVN attacks at Lộc Ninh (in Bình Long Province), Song Be (in Phước Long Province) and at Con Thien and Khe Sanh, (in Quảng Trị Province), were other actions which, combined with Đắk Tô, became known as "the border battles". The post hoc purported objective of the PAVN forces was to distract American and South Vietnamese forces away from cities towards the borders in preparation for the Tet Offensive.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: During the summer of 1967, engagements with PAVN forces in the area prompted the launching of Operation Greeley, a combined search and destroy effort by elements of the U. S. 4th Infantry Division and 173rd Airborne Brigade, along with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 42nd Infantry Regiment, 22nd Division and Airborne units. The fighting was intense and lasted into late 1967, when the PAVN seemingly withdrew.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: By late October U.S. intelligence indicated that local communist units had been reinforced and combined into the PAVN 1st Division, which was to capture Đắk Tô and destroy a brigade-size U.S. unit. Information provided by a PAVN defector provided the allies a good indication of the locations of PAVN forces. This intelligence prompted the launching of Operation MacArthur and brought the units back to the area along with more reinforcements from the ARVN Airborne Division. The battles on the hill masses south and southeast of Đắk Tô became some of the hardest-fought and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: During the early stages of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, several U.S. Special Forces Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) camps were established along the borders of South Vietnam in order both to maintain surveillance of PAVN and Viet Cong (VC) infiltration and to provide support and training to isolated Montagnard villagers, who bore the brunt of the fighting in the area. One of these camps was built near the village and airstrip at Đắk Tô. After 1965, Đắk Tô was also utilized as a forward operations base by the highly classified MACV-SOG, which launched reconnaissance teams from there to gather intelligence on the Ho Chi Minh Trail across the border in Laos. In 1967, under the overall direction of commander of Special Forces in Vietnam, Col. Jonathan Ladd, the camp began to take mortar fire. Ladd flew in, organized reconnaissance and identified the entrenched hill bunker complex as the source of the shelling. Journalist Neil Sheehan quoted Ladd as recommending, unsuccessfully, to Major General William R. Peers: "For God's sake, General, don't send our people in there ... That's what the bastards want us to do. They'll butcher our people. If they want to fight us, let them come down here where we can kill them."


title: Battle of Dak To

text: Đắk Tô lies on a flat valley floor, surrounded by waves of ridgelines that rise into peaks (some as high as ) that stretch westward and southwestward towards the tri-border region where South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia meet. Western Kon Tum Province is covered by double- and triple-canopy rainforests, and the only open areas were filled in by bamboo groves whose stalks sometimes reached in diameter. Landing zones (LZs) large enough for helicopters were few and far between, which meant that most troop movements could only be carried out on foot. Temperatures in the highlands could reach during the day and could drop to as low as in the evening.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: In January 1967, MG Peers had taken command of the 4th Infantry Division, which had responsibility for the defense of western Kon Tum Province. Prior to the onset of the summer monsoon, Peers set up blocking positions from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade base camp at Jackson Hole, west of Pleiku, and launched Operation Francis Marion on 17 May. The 4th had on hand its 1st and 2nd Brigades, while its 3rd Brigade operated with the 25th Infantry Division northwest of Saigon.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: Throughout the middle of 1967, however, western Kon Tum Province became a magnet for several PAVN spoiling attacks and it appeared that the PAVN were paying an increasing amount of attention to the area. Immediately after taking command, Peers instituted guidelines for his units in order to prevent them from being isolated and overrun in the rugged terrain, which also did much to negate the U.S. superiority in firepower. Battalions were to act as single units instead of breaking down into individual companies in order to search for their enemy. If rifle companies had to act independently, they were not to operate more than one kilometer or one hour's march from one another. If contact with the enemy was made, the unit was to be immediately reinforced. These measures went far in reducing the 4th Infantry's casualties.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: These heavy enemy contacts prompted Peers to request reinforcement, and as a result, on 17 June, two battalions of Brigadier General John R. Deane's 173rd Airborne Brigade were moved into the Đắk Tô area to begin sweeping the jungle-covered mountains in Operation Greeley. The 173rd had been operating near Bien Hoa Air Base outside Saigon and had been in combat only against VC guerrillas. Prior to its deployment to the highlands, Peer's operations officer, Colonel William J. Livsey, attempted to warn the Airborne officers of the hazards of campaigning in the Highlands. He also advised them that PAVN regulars were a much better equipped and motivated force than the VC. These warnings, however, made little impression on the paratroopers, who were unaccustomed to PAVN tactics and strength in the area.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: On 20 June, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment discovered the bodies of a CIDG unit that had been missing for four days on Hill 1338 (), the dominant hill mass south of Dak To. Supported by Company A, the Americans moved up the hill and set up for the night. At 06:58 the following morning, Company A began moving alone up a ridge finger and triggered an ambush by the PAVN 6th Battalion, 24th Regiment. Company C was ordered to go to support, but heavy vegetation and difficult terrain made movement extremely difficult. Artillery support was rendered ineffective by the limited range of visibility and the "belt-grabbing" - or "hugging" - tactics of the PAVN (PAVN/VC troops were instructed to open their actions or move as close to American forces as possible, thereby negating U.S. artillery, aerial, and helicopter gunship strikes, which demanded a safety margin for utilization – hence, "grabbing the enemy by the belt). Close air support was impossible for the same reasons. Company A managed to survive repeated attacks throughout the day and night, but the cost was heavy. Of the 137 men that comprised the unit, 76 had been killed and another 23 wounded. A search of the battlefield revealed only 15 PAVN dead.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: U.S. headquarters press releases, made four days after the conclusion of what came to be called "The Battle of the Slopes", claimed that 475 PAVN had been killed while the 173rd's combat after action report claimed 513 enemy dead. The men of Company A estimated that only 50–75 PAVN troops had been killed during the entire action. Such losses among American troops could not go unpunished. The operations officer of the 4th Infantry went so far as to recommend that General Deane be relieved of command. Such a drastic measure, however, would only provide more grist for what was becoming a public relations fiasco. In the end, the commander and junior officers of Company C (whose only crime was that of caution) were transferred to other units.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: In response to the destruction of Company A, MACV ordered additional forces into the area. On 23 June, the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Air Cavalry Division arrived to bolster the 173rd. The following day, the elite ARVN 1st Airborne Task Force (the 5th and 8th Battalions) and the 3rd Brigade, 1st Air Cavalry Division arrived to conduct search and destroy operations north and northeast of Kon Tum. General Deane sent his forces 20 kilometers west and southwest of Dak To in search of the 24th Regiment.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: After establishing Fire Support Base 4 on Hill 664, approximately 11 kilometers southwest of Đắk Tô, the 4/503rd Airborne Infantry found the PAVN K-101D Battalion of the "Doc Lap" Regiment on 10 July. As the four companies of the battalion neared the crest of Hill 830 they were struck by a wall of small arms and machine gun fire and blasted by B-40 rocket-propelled grenades and mortar fire. Any advance was impossible, so the paratroopers remained in place for the night. The following morning, the PAVN were gone. The 4/503rd suffered 22 dead and 62 wounded. The bodies of three PAVN soldiers were found on the site.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: PAVN pressure against CIDG outposts at Dak Seang and Dak Sek, 20 and 45 kilometers north of Đắk Tô respectively, was the impetus for dispatching the ARVN 42nd Infantry Regiment into the area while the ARVN Airborne battalion moved to Dak Seang. On 4 August, the 1/42nd encountered the PAVN on a hilltop west of Dak Seang, setting off a three-day battle that drew in the ARVN Airborne. The 8th Airborne, along with U.S. Army advisers, was airlifted into a small unimproved air field next to the Special Forces camp at Dak Seang. The camp was under sporadic fire and probing ground attack by PAVN forces. This occurred when its Special Forces commander and a patrol failed to return and the camp received what appeared to be preparatory fire for a full scale ground attack by PAVN. The terrain was high mountains with triple canopy jungle. The importance of the Dak Seang camp was that it lay astride the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the main infiltration route of the PAVN into the South.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: About a kilometer from the camp, the Army advisers and the 8th Airborne came upon the bodies of the lost Special Forces patrol, all dead, including the camp commander. As the 8th Airborne moved up the mountain, the lead elements were taking small arms fire. Before long, it was obvious that the PAVN troops had filtered down on all sides. By noon of 4 August, the 8th Airborne with its advisers were in a fight that lasted several days. When the unit finally overwhelmed the PAVN forces because of superior firepower in air and artillery, it reached the top of the mountain and found a fully operational PAVN Headquarters, complete with hospital facilities and anti-aircraft emplacements. During the three-day battle, the 8th Airborne Battalion alone withstood six separate ground attacks and casualties among all the ARVN units were heavy.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: By mid-August, contact with PAVN forces decreased, leading the Americans to conclude that they had withdrawn across the border. The bulk of the ARVN Airborne units were then returned to their bases around Saigon for rest and refitting. On 23 August, General Deane turned over command of the 173rd to Brigadier General Leo H. Schweiter. On 17 September, two battalions of the 173rd departed the area to protect the rice harvest in Phú Yên Province. The 2/503rd remained at Đắk Tô along with the 3rd ARVN Airborne Battalion to carry out a sweep of the Toumarong Valley north of Đắk Tô and the suspected location of a PAVN regimental headquarters. After three weeks of fruitless searching, however, the operation was halted on 11 October. Operation Greeley was over.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: By early October, U.S. intelligence reported that the North Vietnamese were withdrawing regiments from the Pleiku area to join those in Kon Tum Province, thereby dramatically increasing the strength of local forces to that of a full division. In response, the 4th Infantry began moving the 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry and the 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry into Đắk Tô to launch Operation MacArthur. On 29 October, the 4/503rd Airborne Infantry returned to the area as a reinforcement. The battalion was moved west of Đắk Tô to the Ben Het CIDG Camp to protect the construction of Fire Support Base 12 on 2 November. The PAVN's official history places the context for the PAVN/VC as a directive from the General Staff for battlefields groups increase operations to allow local forces and units to preserve strength, and for battlefields groups to conduct exercises and gain experience.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: On 3 November, Sergeant Vu Hong, an artillery specialist with the PAVN 6th Regiment, defected to the South Vietnamese and was able to provide U.S. forces with detailed information on the disposition of PAVN forces and their objectives, both at Đắk Tô and at Ben Het, 18 kilometers to the west. The PAVN had fed approximately 6,000 troops into the area, most of which made up the 1st Division. The 66th Regiment was southwest of Đắk Tô preparing to launch the main attack, while the 32nd Regiment was moved south to prevent any counterattacks against the 66th. The independent 24th Regiment held positions northeast of Đắk Tô to prevent reinforcement of the base from that direction. The 174th Regiment was northwest of Đắk Tô, acting as a reserve or an offensive force as the situation dictated. In addition, the 1st Division was supported by the 40th Artillery Regiment. The goal of these units was the taking of Đắk Tô and the destruction of a brigade-size American unit.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: The PAVN actions around Đắk Tô were part of an overall strategy devised by the Hanoi leadership, primarily that of General Nguyen Chi Thanh. The goal of operations in the area, according to a captured document from the B-3 Front Command, was "to annihilate a major U.S. element in order to force the enemy to deploy as many additional troops to the Central Highlands as possible." As the Americans quickly discovered, the area had been well prepared by the PAVN. The number and elaborateness of defensive preparations found by U.S. and ARVN troops indicated that some had been prepared as much as six months in advance. As General Peers noted:


title: Battle of Dak To

text: Nearly every key terrain feature was heavily fortified with elaborate bunker and trench complexes. He had moved quantities of supplies and ammunition into the area. He was prepared to stay.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: After contact with the PAVN forces on the 4th and 5th, Schweiter received orders to move the rest of his brigade back to Đắk Tô. Their immediate goal was first to establish a base of operations and bolster the defenses at Ben Het. They would then begin to search for the headquarters of the 66th Regiment, which U.S. intelligence believed to be in the valley stretching south of FSB 12. Simultaneously, most of the remaining elements of the 4th Infantry Division moved into the area around Đắk Tô. They were joined by two 1st Cavalry battalions (the 1/12th and 2/8th Cavalry) and ARVN forces consisting of the four battalions of the 42nd Regiment and the 2nd and 3rd Airborne Battalions. By this time, the village and airstrip had become a major logistical base, supporting an entire U.S. division and airborne brigade and six ARVN battalions. The stage was set for a major pitched battle.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: The first fighting of the new operation erupted on 3 November when companies of the 4th Infantry came across PAVN defensive positions. The next day the same thing occurred to elements of the 173rd. The American and ARVN troops soon applied a methodical approach to combat in the highlands. They combed the hills on foot, ran into fixed PAVN hill-top defensive positions, applied massive firepower, and then launched ground attacks to force the PAVN off. In all of these instances, PAVN troops fought stubbornly, inflicted casualties on the Americans, and then withdrew.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: To expand the coverage of supporting artillery fires, the 4/503rd Airborne Infantry was ordered to occupy Hill 823 (), south of Ben Het, for the construction of Fire Support Base 15. Since the rest of the battalion's companies were already deployed elsewhere, the 120 men of Company B would combat assault onto the hilltop by helicopter alone. After several attempts to denude the hilltop with airstrikes and artillery fire, Company B landed unopposed that afternoon, but the hill was not unoccupied. Fifteen minutes later, contact was made with the PAVN. The battle that ensued raged at close quarters until early the following morning when elements of the 66th Regiment withdrew, leaving behind more than 100 bodies. Nine men of Company B were killed and another 28 were wounded.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: The following morning Company B was relieved by Lt. Col. David J. Schumacher's 1/503rd, which (against the admonitions of Colonel Livsey) was divided into two small Task Forces. "Task Force Black" consisted of Company C supported by two platoons of Company D and "Task Force Blue" which was composed of Company A and the remaining platoon of Company D. Task Force Black left Hill 823 to find the PAVN who had attacked Company B, 4/503rd. At 08:28 on 11 November, after leaving their overnight laager and following a PAVN communications wire, the force was ambushed by the 8th and 9th Battalions of the 66th Regiment and had to fight for its life. "Task Force Blue" and Company C, 4/503rd was sent to relieve the beleaguered "Task Force Black". They encountered fire from all sides during the relief attempt, but they made it, reaching the trapped men at 15:37. U.S. losses were 20 killed, 154 wounded, and two missing.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: The commanding officer of "Task Force Black", Captain Thomas McElwain, reported a PAVN body count of 80, but was commanded by Schumacher (whose conduct of the action later came under severe criticism) to go out and count again. He then reported back that 175 PAVN soldiers had been killed. He later stated that "If you lost so many people killed and wounded, you had to have something to show for it." McElwain and Schumacher later clashed over McElwain's recommendation for a decoration for Private First Class John Andrew Barnes, III, who had leapt on a grenade and sacrificed his life to save wounded comrades during the action. Schumacher refused to endorse the recommendation, stating that he did not think medals were for "men who committed suicide." Barnes was later awarded the Medal of Honor.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: The PAVN claim that during the battle against the 1/503rd from 8 to 11 November, they lost 32 killed or wounded.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: The PAVN simultaneously attacked the three companies of the 3/8th Infantry on Hill 724 (). Beginning at 13:07 and lasting for thirty minutes, a mortar barrage rained onto the battalion's laager site. PAVN troops then charged out of the jungle to the attack. By the time the action ended at 19:03, 18 Americans were dead and another 118 were wounded. The 4th Infantry claimed that 92 PAVN had died in the clash.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: An Associated Press article from 12 November quoted the PAVN death toll to have risen above 500 with 67 US troops having also died.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: On the night of 12 November, the PAVN launched the first of many rocket attacks against the Đắk Tô airfield, firing 44 missiles. By 08:00 on 15 November, three C-130 Hercules transport aircraft were in the turnaround area as a PAVN mortar barrage landed. Two of them were destroyed. The resulting fires and additional incoming mortars set the ammunition dump and fuel storage areas ablaze. Explosions continued all day and into the night. During that night's incoming shelling, a mortar round landed on two steel containers of C-4 plastic explosive. They detonated simultaneously, sending a fireball and mushroom cloud high above the valley and leaving two craters deep. This was said to be the largest explosion to occur in the Vietnam War, knocking men off their feet over a mile away. The explosion destroyed the entire 15th Light Equipment Company compound next to the ammunition dump although no one was killed. Engineer Lieutenant Fred Dyerson thought "it looked like Charlie had gotten hold of some nuclear weapons." Although more than 1,100 tons of ordnance were destroyed during the explosions and fires, this was as close as the PAVN would get to taking Đắk Tô. The rapid deployment of allied forces had upset the North Vietnamese offensive and had thrown them onto the defensive. Previous actions had battered the 66th and 33rd Regiments, and they began a southwesterly retreat, covered by the 174th Regiment. The Americans and the ARVN then began to run into tenacious rearguard actions.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: To prevent a repetition of the artillery attack against its base camp, the 3/12th Infantry was ordered to take Hill 1338, which had an excellent overview of Đắk Tô, only six kilometers away. For two days, the Americans fought their way up the steep slope of the hill and into the most elaborate bunker complex yet discovered, all of the fortifications of which were connected by field telephones.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: After scouring the area of the PAVN who attacked "Task Force Black", the three companies of 1/503rd moved southwest to occupy Hill 882. The force was accompanied by approximately a dozen civilian news correspondents. On the morning of 15 November, the lead company crested the hill and discovered bunkers connected by telephone wire. They were then attacked, and the rest of the Americans rushed to the hilltop to take defensive positions. PAVN troops poured small arms, machine gun, and mortar fire on the Americans and launched several ground attacks. The U.S. commander requested helicopter evacuation for the most seriously wounded, but this request was denied by Col. Schumacher, who demanded that the civilians be evacuated first. When the fighting ceased on 19 November the U.S. battalion had suffered seven killed and 34 wounded. The PAVN 66th Regiment left behind 51 dead.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: While the action on Hill 882 was underway, Company D, 4/503rd was conducting road clearing operations around Ben Het while being accompanied by a CIDG Mike Force. While calling in an artillery fire mission, an error caused two rounds to fall on the company's position. Six Americans and three CIDG were killed outright and 15 paratroopers and 13 CIDG troops were wounded in the friendly fire incident.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: ARVN units had also found plenty of action in the Đắk Tô area. On 18 November, on Hill 1416 () northeast of Tan Canh, the ARVN 3/42nd Infantry found the PAVN 24th Regiment in well-fortified defensive positions. The elite, all-volunteer ARVN 3rd and 9th Airborne Battalions joined the action, attacking the hill from another direction. The ARVN forces took the hill on 20 November after vicious close-quarters fighting that claimed 66 ARVN dead and another 290 wounded. The PAVN left behind 248 of their own.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: U.S. intelligence indicated that the fresh 174th PAVN Regiment had slipped westward past Ben Het and had taken up positions on an 875-meter-high hill just six kilometers from the border. The 174th had done so in order to cover the withdrawal of the 66th and 32nd Regiments, which were moving toward their sanctuaries across the Cambodian frontier. On 19 November, BG Schweiter was informed that a Special Forces Mobile Strike Force company had run into heavy resistance while reconnoitering the area. He then ordered his 2nd Battalion to take the hill.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: At 09:43 on 19 November, the three companies (330 men) of 2/503rd moved into jumpoff positions from which to assault Hill 875 (). Companies C and D moved up the slope followed by two platoons of Company A in the classic "two up one back" formation utilized since World War I. The Weapons Platoon of Company A remained behind at the bottom of the hill to cut out a landing zone. Instead of a frontal assault with massed troops, the unit would have been better served by advancing small teams to envelop possible PAVN positions and then calling in air and artillery support.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: At 10:30, as the Americans moved to within 300 meters of the crest, PAVN machine gunners opened fire on the advancing paratroopers. Then B-40 rockets and 57mm recoilless rifle fire were unleashed upon them. The paratroopers attempted to continue the advance, but the PAVN, well concealed in interconnected bunkers and trenches, opened fire with small arms and grenades. The American advance was halted and the men went to ground, finding whatever cover they could. At 14:30 PAVN troops hidden at the bottom of the hill launched a massed assault on Company A. Unknown to the Americans, they had walked into a carefully prepared ambush by the 2nd Battalion of the 174th Regiment.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: The men of Company A retreated up the slope, lest they be cut off from their comrades and annihilated. They were closely followed by the PAVN. Private First Class Carlos Lozada held the rear guard position for Company A with his M60 machine gun. As the PAVN advanced, Lozada mowed them down and refused to retreat until he was shot dead. For his actions that day, Lozada was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor. Soon, U.S. air strikes and artillery fire were being called in, but they had little effect on the battle because of the dense foliage on the hillside. Resupply became a necessity because of high ammunition expenditures and lack of water, but it was also an impossibility. Six UH-1 helicopters were shot down or badly damaged that afternoon trying to get to 2/503rd.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: At 18:58 one of the worst friendly fire incidents of the Vietnam War occurred when a Marine Corps A-4 Skyhawk fighter-bomber, flown by LTC Richard Taber, the Commanding Officer of a Marine Air Group from Chu Lai Air Base, dropped two 500-pound Mark 81 Snakeye bombs into 2/503rd's perimeter. One of the bombs exploded, a tree burst above the center of the position, where the combined command groups, the wounded, and the medics were all located. It killed 42 men outright and wounded 45 more, including the overall on-scene commander, Captain Harold Kaufman. 1Lt. Bartholomew O'Leary, Company D Commander, was seriously wounded. (Company A's commander had been killed in the retreat up the slope). Chaplain (Major) Charles J. Watters, was killed in the blast while ministering to the wounded. For his gallantry in repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire to retrieve the wounded on Hill 875, he was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: The next morning, the three companies of 4/503rd were chosen to set out and relieve the men on Hill 875. Because of intense PAVN sniper and mortar fire (and the terrain) it took until nightfall for the relief force to reach the beleaguered battalion. On the afternoon of 21 November, both battalions moved out to take the crest. During fierce, close-quarters fighting, some of the paratroopers made it into the PAVN trenchline but were ordered to pull back as darkness fell. At approximately 23:00, the 4th Division's 1/12th Infantry was ordered to withdraw from an offensive operations in the southern Central Highlands and redeploy to Đắk Tô. In a night-time air redeployment, the entire battalion redeployed and took up positions around the main fire support base at Đắk Tô in less than 12 hours.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: The following day was spent in launching airstrikes and a heavy artillery bombardment against the hilltop, totally denuding it of cover. On 23 November, the 2nd and 4th Battalions of the 503rd were ordered to renew their assault while the 1/12th Infantry assaulted 875 from the south. This time the Americans gained the crest, but the PAVN had already abandoned their positions, leaving only a few dozen charred bodies and weapons.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: The battle of Hill 875 had cost 2/503rd 87 killed, 130 wounded, and three missing. 4/503rd suffered 28 killed 123 wounded, and four missing. Combined with noncombatant losses, this represented one-fifth of the 173rd Airborne Brigade's total strength. For its combined actions during operations around Đắk Tô, the 173rd Airborne Brigade was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: By the end of November, the PAVN withdrew back into their sanctuaries in Cambodia and Laos, failing to wipe out a major American unit, yet forcing the U.S. Army to pay a high price. 376 U.S. troops had been killed or listed as missing-presumed dead and another 1,441 were wounded, in the fighting around Đắk Tô. The fighting had also taken a toll on the ARVN with 73 soldiers killed. U.S. munitions expenditures attested to the ferocity of the fighting: 151,000 artillery rounds, 2,096 tactical air sorties, 257 B-52 strikes. 2,101 Army helicopter sorties were flown, and 40 helicopters were lost. The U.S. Army claimed that 1,644 PAVN troops had been killed by body count, but this figure quickly became a source of contention due to allegations of body count inflation. During the battle, one company commander alleges after losing 78 men while finding 10 enemy bodies, the "enemy body count" figures were deliberately re-written as 475 by General William Westmoreland and released as official operational reports.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: Another figure of some significant contention was the claim from the Vietnam News Agency quoted in an Associated Press report that 2,800 U.S. soldiers and 700 ARVN had perished in the fighting.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: In his memoirs, General William C. Westmoreland, U.S. commander in Vietnam, mentioned 1,400 PAVN casualties, while MG William B. Rosson, the MACV deputy commander, estimated that the PAVN lost between 1,000 and 1,400 men. Not all American commanders were happy with the friendly to enemy loss ratio. U.S. Marine Corps General John Chaisson questioned "Is it a victory when you lose 362 friendlies in three weeks and by your own spurious body count you only get 1,200?" Major General Charles P. Stone, who succeeded Peers as commander of the 4th Infantry Division on 4 January 1968, later described the methods that U.S. commanders had previously used in the highlands as "stupid." Stone was particularly critical of Schweiter and his performance at Dak To. "I had the damnest time (after my arrival in Vietnam) getting anybody to show me where Hill 875 was," he told interviewers following the war. "It had absolutely no importance in the war thereafter. None. It had no strategic value... It made no difference... that the enemy held all those mountains along the border because they controlled no people, no resources, no real growing areas and suffered a horrible malaria rate. Why... go out there and fight them where all the advantages were on... [their] side."


title: Battle of Dak To

text: MACV asserted that three of the four PAVN regiments that participated in the fighting had been so battered that they played no part in the next phase of their winter-spring offensive. Only the 24th Regiment took the field during the Tet Offensive of January 1968. The 173rd Airborne Brigade and two battalions of the 4th Infantry Division were in no better shape. General Westmoreland claimed that "we had soundly defeated the enemy without unduly sacrificing operations in other areas. The enemy's return was nil." But Westmoreland's claim may have missed the point. The border battles fought that fall and winter had indeed cost the PAVN dearly, but they had achieved their objective. By January 1968, one-half of all U.S. maneuver battalions in South Vietnam had been drawn away from the cities and lowlands and into the border areas. The official, post-war, PAVN history is more sanguine, viewing their results as the infliction of casualties on a brigade, two battalions and six companies of US forces.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: Operations in and around the Central Highlands including previous battles at Hill 1338 had rendered the 173rd Airborne combat ineffective, and they were ordered to Tuy Hòa to repair and refit. The 173rd was transferred to Camp Radcliff in An Khê and Bong Son areas during 1968, seeing very little action while the combat ineffective elements of the brigade were rebuilt.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: Several members of Westmoreland's staff began to see an eerie resemblance to the Viet Minh campaign of 1953, when seemingly peripheral actions had led up to the climactic Battle of Dien Bien Phu. General Giap even laid claim to such a strategy in an announcement in September, but to the Americans it all seemed a bit too contrived. Yet, no understandable analysis seemed to explain Hanoi's almost suicidal military actions. They could only be explained if a situation akin to Dien Bien Phu came into being. Then, almost overnight, one emerged. In the western corner of Quảng Trị Province, an isolated Marine outpost at Khe Sanh, came under siege by PAVN forces that would eventually number three divisions.


title: Battle of Dak To

text: Three members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Maj. Charles J. Watters, Pfc. John A. Barnes III and Pfc. Carlos Lozada) all posthumously received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle.


title: 2009 French Open – Men's singles

text: Roger Federer defeated Robin Söderling in the final, 6–1, 7–6, 6–4 to win the men's singles tennis title at the 2009 French Open. It was his first and his only French Open title and 14th major title overall, completing the career Grand Slam and equaling Pete Sampras' then-record of men's singles major titles. It was Federer's fourth consecutive French Open final, having lost the previous three to Rafael Nadal. Söderling became the first Scandinavian major finalist since Thomas Johansson at the 2002 Australian Open.


title: 2009 French Open – Men's singles

text: Rafael Nadal was the four-time defending champion, but was defeated in the fourth round by Söderling. It was Nadal's first defeat at the French Open, having won the title in all four of his previous appearances since debuting in 2005 and winning his first 31 matches. His loss guaranteed a maiden French Open champion. In the ten-year span from 2005 to 2014, this was the only edition of the French Open not won by Nadal.


title: 2009 French Open – Men's singles

text: Until the 2016 Wimbledon Championships, this was the last major where Novak Djokovic failed to reach the quarterfinals. He lost to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round.


title: 2009 French Open – Men's singles

text: This was the last major appearance for 2004 French Open champion and former world No. 5 Gastón Gaudio, and the last French Open for and former world No. 1 and two-time major champion Marat Safin.


title: Church of the Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon

text: The Collegiate Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon, is a Grade I listed parish church of the Church of England in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England.


text: It is often known simply as Holy Trinity Church or as Shakespeare's Church, due to its fame as the place of baptism, marriage and burial of William Shakespeare. More than 200,000 tourists visit the church each year.


text: The past building dates from 1210 and is built on the site of a Saxon monastery. It is Stratford's oldest building, is situated on the banks of the River Avon, and is one of England's most visited churches. In the fourteenth century, John de Stratford founded a chantry, which was rebuilt between 1465 and 1497 by Dean Thomas Balshall, who is buried at the church. The building is believed to have originally had a wooden spire, which was replaced by William Hiorne in 1763.


text: The carved scenes of the life of Christ around Balshall's tomb were mutilated during the Reformation, as were most images of Christ. Notable "survivors" include a remarkable face of Christ or possibly God the Father within a sedilia canopy, and some beautiful medieval stained glass depicting the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ and the Day of Pentecost. The pre-Reformation stone altar slab or "mensa" was found hidden beneath the floor in Victorian times and has now been re-instated as the high altar.


text: The church has a large three manual pipe organ, dating from 1841, by the organ builder William Hill. It has undergone several restorations by Hill, Norman and Beard, and by Nicholson, and now has two separate sections. The Great and Swell 1 and Pedal 1 divisions are high on the wall above the arch into the tower crossing and face west. The Choir and Swell 2 and Pedal 2 divisions are at ground level between St Peter's Chapel and the south aisle. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register. The organ case was designed by George Frederick Bodley and Thomas Garner.


text: The church is open to visitors for much of the year. A small contribution is requested to access the chancel and sanctuary in which Shakespeare is buried. Holy Trinity is a member of the Greater Churches Group. The Royal Shakespeare Company performed "Henry VIII" in the church in 2006 as part of the Complete Works Festival. It is an active parish church serving a parish of some 17,000 people. Features of interest aside from the Shakespearean include a sandstone obelisk erected in 1858 in memory of the printer and botanist William Cheshire.


text: William Shakespeare, poet and playwright, was baptised in Holy Trinity on 26 April 1564 and was buried there on 25 April 1616. The church still possesses the original Elizabethan register giving details of his baptism and burial, though it is kept by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust for safekeeping. He is buried in the beautiful 15th-century chancel built by Thomas Balsall, Dean of the Collegiate Church, who was buried within it in 1491. Shakespeare was eligible to be buried in the chancel owing to his position as a "lay rector" of the church; as Peter Ackroyd explains, this was due to his leasing of tithes from the church. This entitlement was taken either at his behest or on his behalf. Shakespeare's funerary monument is fixed on a wall alongside his burial place. The funerary monument was renovated in 1746 through proceeds from a production of "Othello", the first recorded performance of a Shakespeare play in Stratford-upon-Avon.


text: Shakespeare would have come to Holy Trinity every week when he was in town, i.e. throughout his childhood and on his return to live at New Place. His wife Anne Hathaway is buried next to him, along with his eldest daughter Susanna. The day after Shakespeare signed his Last Will and Testament on 25 March 1616 in a "shaky hand", William's son-in-law, Thomas Quiney was found guilty in the church court of fathering an illegitimate son, who had recently died in childbirth, by a Margaret Wheler. Quiney was ordered to do public penance within the church. Within a month Shakespeare was dead, his funeral and burial being held at Holy Trinity on 25 April 1616.


text: It has been claimed by at least one textbook author that the warning has served to prevent both the removal of Shakespeare's body to Westminster Abbey and the exhumation of his body for examination.


text: The grave of Shakespeare's wife Anne is next to her husband's. The inscription states, "". A Latin inscription followed which translates as "Breasts, O mother, milk and life thou didst give. Woe is me – for how great a boon shall I give stones? How much rather would I pray that the good angel should move the stone so that, like Christ's body, thine image might come forth! But my prayers are unavailing. Come quickly, Christ, that my mother, though shut within this tomb may rise again and reach the stars." The inscription may have been written by John Hall on behalf of his wife, Anne's daughter, Susanna.


text: In January 2015, planning permission was granted for an extension next to the south aisle of the church to provide a new vestry, toilets and storage space. Construction began in 2015 and the extension was opened on 17 April 2016. Designed by the firm Stephen Oliver Architecture, it was built with local limestone. A stained-glass window which was hidden by the organ has been incorporated into the extension.


title: Moanin'

text: Moanin (originally titled Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers) is a jazz album by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers recorded in 1958 for the Blue Note label and released in 1959.


title: Moanin'

text: This was Blakey's first album for Blue Note in several years, after a period of recording for a number of different labels, and marked both a homecoming and a fresh start. Originally the LP was self-titled, but the instant popularity of the bluesy opening track "Moanin'" (by pianist Bobby Timmons) led to its becoming known by that title.


title: Moanin'

text: The rest of the originals are by saxophonist Benny Golson (who was not with the Jazz Messengers for long, this being the only American album on which he is featured). "Are You Real?" is a propulsive 32-bar piece with a four-bar tag, featuring two-part writing for Golson and trumpeter Lee Morgan. "Along Came Betty" is a more lyrical, long-lined piece, almost serving as the album's ballad. "The Drum Thunder Suite" is a feature for Blakey, in three movements: "Drum Thunder"; "Cry a Blue Tear"; and "Harlem's Disciples". "Blues March" calls on the feeling of the New Orleans marching bands, and the album finishes on its only standard, an unusually brisk reading of "Come Rain or Come Shine". Of the originals on the album, all but the "Drum Thunder Suite" became staples of the Messengers book, even after Timmons and Golson were gone. Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in his meticulous Hackensack studios, this recording reflects the hallmark precision associated with that engineer – on the 1999 CD reissue there is a brief conversation between Lee Morgan and Rudy Van Gelder going over Morgan's solo.


title: Moanin'

text: The album stands as one of the archetypal hard bop albums of the era, for the intensity of Blakey's drumming and the work of Morgan, Golson and Timmons, and for its combination of old-fashioned gospel and blues influences with a sophisticated modern jazz sensibility. The album was identified by jazz critic Scott Yanow as one of "17 Essential Hard Bop Recordings". AllMusic gives it a five-star review, stating: ""Moanin" includes some of the greatest music Blakey produced in the studio with arguably his very best band. ... ranks with the very best of Blakey and what modern jazz offered in the late '50s and beyond."


title: Moanin'

text: A vocalese version of "Moanin'" was later written by Jon Hendricks, and recorded by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, as well as jazz vocalists Bill Henderson and Karrin Allyson.


title: Mark Williams (basketball)

text: Mark Oluwafemi Williams (born December 16, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA), drafted as 15th overall pick in the first round. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils.


title: Mark Williams (basketball)

text: Williams began his high school basketball career at Norfolk Academy. He was invited to the NBA Top 100 camp in Charlottesville, Virginia in the summer of 2018. Williams passed the 1,000 point threshold in February 2019. As a junior, he averaged 19.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game to help the Bulldogs reach the VISAA state tournament. He was selected to the USA Today All-USA Virginia Boys Basketball second team. During the 2019 Nike EYBL, Williams averaged 14.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, while shooting 63.8% from the floor. During the Nike Peach Jam in July 2019, Williams averaged 23.5 points, 12 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 76.0 percent in two games for the Boo Williams program. Coming into his senior season, he transferred to IMG Academy, which finished the previous season as the GEICO Nationals champions. Williams was named a 2020 McDonald's All-American. On January 31, 2020, he posted 19 points and 16 rebounds in a 64–62 win over Hillcrest Prep.


title: Mark Williams (basketball)

text: Williams was considered a five-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals, and a four-star recruit by ESPN. On November 1, 2019, he committed to playing college basketball for Duke, choosing the Blue Devils over Michigan and UCLA after taking official visits to all three schools. Williams chose Duke in large part due to the possibility for a national championship, and said he wants to pattern his game after Wendell Carter Jr.


title: Mark Williams (basketball)

text: Before the start of the season, Williams was named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award preseason watch list. On January 30, 2021, he scored 11 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in a 79–53 win over Clemson. On February 13, 2021, Williams recorded 13 points and 5 blocks in a 69–53 victory against NC State. On February 22, 2021, he tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds in a 85–71 win over Syracuse. On March 10, 2021, Williams recorded another double-double of 23 points and 19 rebounds in a 70–56 victory against Louisville in the second round of the ACC tournament. In that game his 19 rebounds set a record for the most ever by a freshman in the ACC Tournament, surpassing former Virginia center and NBA Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson's 18 rebounds against Clemson in the 1980 ACC Tournament and ranking the third highest for a freshman at Duke. As a freshman, Williams averaged 7.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. On February 26, 2022, he scored a career-high 28 points in a 97–72 win over Syracuse. Williams was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year as well as Third Team All-ACC as a sophomore. As a sophomore, he averaged 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. On April 18, 2022, Williams declared for the 2022 NBA Draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.


title: Mark Williams (basketball)

text: Born to Nigerian parents, Margaret and Dr. Alex Williams, on December 16, 2001. His father is a physician with subspecialty in Gastroenterology. Williams' older sister, Elizabeth, played college basketball at Duke from 2011 to 2015 before being selected fourth in the 2015 WNBA draft.


title: New Chitose Airport

text: It is adjacent to Chitose Air Base, a Japan Air Self-Defense Force base which houses F-15 Eagle fighter jets, the Japanese Air Force One government aircraft and a number of smaller emergency response aircraft and helicopters. Chitose and New Chitose have separate runways but are interconnected by taxiways, and aircraft at either facility can enter the other by ground if permitted; the runways at Chitose are occasionally used to relieve runway closures at New Chitose due to winter weather. JASDF provides air traffic control for both facilities.


title: New Chitose Airport

text: As of 2018, New Chitose Airport was the fifth-busiest airport in Japan, and ranked 64th in the world in terms of passengers carried. The Sapporo–Tokyo Haneda route is the second busiest air route in the world, with 9.7 million passengers carried in 2018.