Barbara Stanwyck - Gambling Lady

Movie poster. 1934. Barbara Stanwyck (1907–1990) was born Ruby Stevens in New York. She starred in almost 100 films during her career and received four nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Barbare was known for her accessibility and kindness to the backstage crew on any film set.

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Queen Victoria & Prince Albert, 1855

Prince Albert and Queen Victoria (1854). Photo by Roger Fenton.

Reichskommissariat Moskau

The Reichskommissariat Moskau was the planned Nazi civilian regime in central and northern European Russia after WW II.

Gene Tierney - 'Dragonwyck' (1946)

Gene Tierney (1920–1991) was born in Brooklyn. She was one of the great beauties of her day.

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Vegetatie 17

"Vegetation 17" by the Dutch painter Bas Kloens. Since 1968 he makes oil paintings of vegetations.

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City Wall Rome

The city of Rome is still partly surrounded by its huge ancient Roman city walls.

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Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace treaty signed on March 3, 1918, at Brest-Litovsk between the Soviet Union and the German Empire. It fixed the German wins at the eastern front, allowing them to consolidate their western front. Over there the Germans would be defeated in November 1918, resulting in the annulment of this treaty. The grey shaded territories were intended to become German vassal states. The Baltic states and Poland would have been ruled by German kings and dukes.

Amersfoort-on-Sea

Amersfoort on Sea, Amersfoort at Sea, Amersfoort aan zee

In a few years the rising sea level will change the shape of The Netherlands. At present Amersfoort is the centre of Holland, in the future it will be a seaport. This phenomenon is called Amersfoort on Sea.or Amersfoort at Sea (Amersfoort aan Zee). Personally I think Amersfoort will therefore be the new capital…

The Divine Ceasar

IMP·C·IVLIVS·CAESAR·DIVVS


Gaius Julius Caesar, founder of the Imperium Romanum, the divine Divus Julius, Pontifex Maximus (and thereby the predecessor of the current Pope).

But also committer of brutal invasions, genocides and the destruction of civilizations.

Like Jesus he was murdered because of the accusation he wanted to be king.

The Railway Yard, Balaklava

The Crimean War (1853-1856) was the first photographed large war (between France, England and the Ottoman Empire against Russia). It is considered to be the first “modern” conflict using new weapons and techniques.

The photo depicts the landing place, with railway stores, at the town of Balaklava, near the harbor (by Roger Fenton).

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Opal Coast

The Northern French coast is called the Côte d'Opale (Opaalkust). In the middle ages it belonged to Flanders and people spoke Dutch over there. Since then the language border moved north, and nowadays everyone speaks French (except a few people near the Belgian border).

The Führerbunker

Hitler’s bunker in Berlin, der Führerbunker, his HQ in WW II. Eva Braun and Hitler committed suicide over here. Unable to complete destroy the site, it was covered up by residential buildings, a parking lot and … a children's playground.

Treaty of Sevres

The Treaty of Sèvres (10 August 1920) was the peace treaty between the Ottoman Empire and the Allies at the end of World War I. Greece effectively gained a large part of the east coast, and the Kurdish and Armenian nations were officially created. The Treaty of Sèvres was superseded by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923.

Gloria Swanson - Her Husband's Trademark

Film poster featuring Gloria Swanson in the 1922 movie "Her Husband's Trademark'. Gloria was known for the many costume changes. She survived the change to sound movies, and she even sang in some of those movies.

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What is Europe (Turkey member EU)?

Today there is much discussion about whether or not Turkey should be allowed to be a member of the European Union. In my humble opinion they should, because: - Historically the area has always been European. The ancient Greeks lived over there, followed by the Romans and the Byzantines. - The fact that the main religion is the Islam should not be an obstacle, why should we judge people on their religious believes? There is a strict separation between church and state in Turkey, even stricter than in most of the western European states. - There is (I hope) no doubt about the europeannes of Armenia and Georgia, in language and religion they look a lot like the western European states, and they share the same history. Making Turkey a member makes it much easier to make Armenia and Georgia member as well, otherwise they are too far away (take in mind that Ukraine not even a candidate member is yet).

Königsberg

The German city of Königsberg (Dutch: Koningsbergen) was completely destroyed by the Russians during WW II. Instead of rebuilding the once picturesque inner city they decided to blow up all remaining buildings and make it a park. Only the church remains. Notice the highway running across the ‘park’. At present the town is called Kaliningrad.

Quetzalcoatl

Quetzalcoatl was (is) the most important god of the Indians living in Middle America (a.o. the Aztec, Maya and Toltec).

His name means feathered (quetzal) serpent (coatl).

The Toltecs expelled him, he then sailed on a raft over the ocean to the Mayas who worshipped him under the name Kukulkan.

Theekantjes

The Dutch word 'Theekantje' (theekantjes) has completely disappeared. It can be translated as ‘teaside’, a cookie served at the side of the tea dish.

The 19th century photo shows a shop in Utrecht showing the word (at the left above the window, spelled 'tekantjes').

In 1976 the bakery celebrated its 250 year anniversary, but today it houses an antique dealer. The front remained unchained, though, so it is probably the only place in the world where the word survives.

Agatha

Portret of Agatha van Schoonhoven, 1529, by Jan van Scorel (1495-1562). The smile of Mona Lisa, the pose of Vermeer's The Girl With a Pearl Earring. Agatha and Jan were lovers, and although Jan was a priest she bore him six children. Galleria Doria Pamphili, Rome.

Vegetatie 28

"Vegetation 28" by the Dutch painter Bas Kloens. It reminds my of a book I once read: "Ringworld" by Larry Niven.