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Thursday, May 17. 2007
When I was in highschool, I used to join quiz bees sponsored by our school. Every year the school conducts science, math, english, and history quiz bees for each level. I always participate in the History quiz bee since that's my forte. I never won any award or medal for joining this competition for four years. I remember I came close to winning the first place during my sophomore year. I lost because I did not know the answer for the tie-breaker question. If my memory is right, the question asked who the father of India is. I didn't know what to write since I'm very poor when it comes to Asian History.
My opponent won the contest since he knows the answer to the question. Ever since that fatal day, the name Mahatma Gandhi, the father of India, is forever engraved in my memory. I also remember that my mom prepared a delicious scallop dish just for me since she thought I won. I didn't eat anything that day since I'm busy researching information about Gandhi in the internet. Based from my research, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a spiritual and political leader of India. People referred to him as their father. He believes in non-violence when pursuing freedom.
Mahatma Gandhi was a lawyer and freedom fighter. He used to study in Europe and help the Africans with their problems before he came back to India. He was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948. Gandhi was in a prayer meeting when he was shot. A lot of people said that Gandhi was murdered because there are extremists who didn't like his peaceful ideas. Even though Gandhi had done great achievements, he never won any Nobel Peace Prize.
Monday, May 14. 2007
 I love the show America's Next Top Model by the former model Tyra Banks. I watched all cycles from one to six. I love the countries and sites they visited. I remember, one time, they visited the cell of Nelson Mandela when America's Next Top Model cycle four went to Cape Town, South Africa. I wondered, "Who is Nelson Mandela?" Please excuse my ignorance over the subject, but I don't have any clue who he is. My friend who is good in history told me that Nelson Mandela was the first ever president of South Africa.
Sunday, May 13. 2007
I don't really know a lot of stuff about African History since I like Asian History more. My friend, who is good at African History, is the one who keeps me informed about the dark continent's past. She told me that Nelson was born on July 18, 1918. He was a freedom fighter who believed in non-violence to meet his goals. He was imprisoned for twenty-seven years due to his activist acts as an anti apartheid before he became the president. He was South Africa's president for five years from 1994-1999.
Saturday, May 12. 2007
My friend told me that a lot of South Africans were disappointed in what Mandela did during his office term. Mandela, according to the people, did not focus his attention toward the threatening problem of AIDS. During his office years, the issue of HIV is the main issue or concern of his people. The number of AIDS victim was becoming rampant. However, my friend told me that he was very proud of Mandela because the African leader was able to unite the black and white South Africans via the 1995 Rugby World Cup that South Africa hosted.
Friday, May 11. 2007
 When I was a volunteer teacher for young kids in our community, I taught my students the famous sites of France. As I asked them to give examples, they all said in unison, "Eiffel Tower." When I asked them if they know who designed the Eiffel tower, none of them could answer me. I am not surprised when they couldn't answer my question because only a few people know who designed it. I know that the answer is Eiffel since usually towers are named after its creators but I have no background as to who designed it. When I did my research, I found out that Gustave Eiffel is the man behind the famous Eiffel Tower and The Statue of Liberty.
Thursday, May 10. 2007
Gustave Eiffel, the man who created The Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty was a famous architect for metallic buildings. His name Eiffel is taken from the place where his German ancestors lived. He was born in Dijon, Côte-d'Or, France on December 15, 1832. He studied Chemistry at the famous Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures in Paris. Aside from the two famous structures he built, he was also known for building state of the art bridges all over the world. Truly, Gustave Eiffel is one of the greatest architects and engineers of all time. People like me won't remember him but his works will never fade in the hearts of the people.
Wednesday, May 9. 2007
Before I didn't know the reason why the French built the Eiffel Tower. But through the article I've read and printed from my new hp printer, I discovered that it was for the International Inquisition in 1889. A lot of people especially French artists were against Eiffel's design. They all said that the Eiffel Tower will destroy the beauty and grace of Paris. They all requested Gustave to change the design but Gustave Eiffel didn't listen to them. After the Eiffel Tower was finished, a lot of people admired Gustave's creation. In fact, after the Inquisition they planned to dismantle the tower but they decided to retain it. Today, Eiffel Tower is the symbol of French culture and pride.
Tuesday, May 8. 2007
One fatal mistake can lead to a devastating crisis and inflict endless pain. This is what I observed as I read the news in my dsl broadband internet about the Middleast crisis. I felt pity to the innocent civilians, who were killed in the Israeli airstrike in Qana. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert earlier apologized to the Lebanese for what happened in Qana. He was sorry for the pain he had caused Lebanese but quickly said that they are fighting terrorists, in reference to Hezbollah. Last Sunday, Israeli aircraft bombed Qana, Lebanon which killed at least fifty-four innocent civilians. Although, I know Israel is fighting for what they believe in. If they want to annihilate Hezbollah, they shouldn't harm any civilians. The adage, the end justifies the means is not applicable in this situation.
Monday, May 7. 2007
The word cease fire may be the last word you can ever hear Israel utters. According to the news, Israel has fifteen thousand reserve troops, which will go inside the territory of Lebanon in just a few days. Israel is very firm when they said no to cease fire, in spite of the warnings of other nations. In fact, yesterday, the cabinet has approved their offensive campaign against Lebanon. Even, United States, which is not involve in this crisis is declaring no to cease fire. How dare US butt-in, in this crisis as though, it is not part of the conflict. Instead of mediating to solve the issue between two nations, US stares and creates stand while they watch the two nations killed each other.
Sunday, May 6. 2007
 It seems like there's no hope that Israel would change their mind about attacking and pulverizing Hezbollah in Lebanon. In fact, Israeli troops have entered Aita Al-Shaab, a Lebanese town in the south. This conclude that Israel won't back down against their word to end Hezbollah. I remembered, this conflict began when Hezbollah killed two Israelis. Even though, this feud can still be patch, it seems that Israel has close its doors for reconciliation and peace talks. Israel should remember that everything in this world is relative and subjective. For the Lebanese, hezbollah is not a terrorist group because they are only fighting for their beliefs, which is also the same with Israel. They're killing and fighting because of their beliefs. If fighting for what you believe in means you're a terrorist then I can say that Israel is a terrorist as well.
Saturday, May 5. 2007
The last horrific massacre that could be remembered by the entire mankind as a perpetual stigma is The Holocaust. That was before 1994. If there were millions of Orthodox Jews, Polish, and Russians slaughtered back then, it was the result of extreme bigotry and racism. The trouble with a single continent such as Europe is that there are far too many different cultures to tolerate. In Africa, there is little difference from one culture to the next. Yet, racism existed and resulted in another grand butchering back in 1994, called the Rwandan Genocide.
Friday, May 4. 2007
The Rwandan Genocide was a mass killing of about 1,071,000 Tutsis and Hutus in Rwanda. The Hutu militant groups organized a killing spree of such gargantuan scale that even their moderate tribespeople had been murdered. The Hutus were considered the "lesser" Rwandans who were less favored in the country, called the Bantu, while the Tutsis belonged to the more noble race called Hamites. Of course, if you were a Hutu, you would think otherwise and drive out the foreign invaders. Ethnic rivalry is a single powerful cause of this belated African massacre.
Thursday, May 3. 2007
 Some argue that if the United Nations had intervened far earlier, this mass murder wouldn't have happened. There were cries of possible amassing of weapons and Hutu militant preparations, but the UN had dismissed this. In fact, the US, then governed by Pres Bill Clinton had been a member of the First World countries who did not actively engage in the necessary peacekeeping process. It was only when the Tutsi-ruled Rwandan Patriotic Front, headed by Paul Kagame, took over the reigning Hutus did the Rwandan Genocide of '94 ended.
Wednesday, May 2. 2007
Does the name Che Guevarra ring a bell? Do you honestly know who Che Guevarra is? Probably most people would answer me that he's the guy in the picture of merchandises like clothes, hats, handkerchiefs and bags. A lot of people wear these stuff not because they love Che Guevarra and honor the things he did but because these apparels are trendy and hip. In fact, I was one of those who like to wear Che Guevarra stuff even though I don't know him exactly. One day, I decided to do my research and found out that he was an Argentinian revolutionary leader who desired to free his country from the dictatorship of Juan Peron. He was a patriotic man and one of the heroes in the history of Argentina. He is not simply a face in T-shirts. He is a freedom fighter.
Tuesday, May 1. 2007
When Ernesto "Che" Guevarra was twenty-three years old he decided to go on a trip with his friend, Alberto Granado to travel the vast region of Latin America. They lodged in only when there were people who would give them shelter and food. At that time, there were no convenient hotel reservations yet like today. Their trip led them to discover the poverties of each nation and Che became aware of the conditions of his fellowmen. This awakened his patriotism and a deep desire to help free his people. What began as a simple journey to visit and enjoy the country became a journey towards self-realization and awareness of the present social conditions. This rarely happens to rich kids like Che. Most heroes, as we know, came from the grassroots and the injustices experienced spurred them into action. The accounts and narration of the adventures of Che and his friend in their motorcycle, La Poderosa, was recorded in the book titled, "Motorcycle Diaries."
Monday, April 30. 2007
During the travels of Che Guevarra and his friend Alberto Granado, they came across a leper colony and helped their for awhile since they have medical expertise. I haven't actually read the novel but I've seen the movie which starred Gael Garcia Bernal. In the movie, there was a part there when Che swam all the way at the far end of the island towards the leprosy patients even though he had asthma. For him, crossing the river that separates the healthy doctors from the ill patients had conquered the division and marginalization that existed because of this setup. All throughout his stay in the leper colony, he wondered why these people had to be isolated from them. He had an awakening: the division exists not only in the leper colony but in Latin America as well. I hope rich people today are like Che.
Sunday, April 29. 2007
The Great Wall of China is one of the most famous building ever built in the world. It was built to protect China from the Mongol, Turkic, and other nomadic tribes trying to invade China. The wall measures 6,352 kilometers starting from Shanhai Pass on the Bohai Sea in the east, at the limit between "China proper" and Manchuria, to Lop Nur in the southeastern portion of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The wall roughly delineates the border between North China and Inner Mongolia. It was built during the reign of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi between 220 BC and 200 BC.
Saturday, April 28. 2007
 During the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the initial wall of the amazing Great Wall of China was built. It was mostly a product of several regional walls built by warring states and not by single endeavors. It was the government who ordered its citizens to build the wall. While building the wall, there were many workers who died because of enemy's attack. It was referred to as the “longest cemetery on Earth” or “the long graveyard.” It was also said that there are almost one million workers who died building the wall. The succeeding walls were built by succeeding dynasties namely the Han, the Sui, and the Ten Kingdoms.
Friday, April 27. 2007
Some portions of the Great Wall of China were opened as tourist spots for foreigners. There are also parts that were reconstructed and alloted for preservation. However, most of its locations are in poor condition right now. There are parts that became playground for children and source of stones for building houses and roads. It is estimated that only 20% of the Great Wall of China is still in good condition. Still, there are a lot of people who wants to see this amazing structure in China.
Thursday, April 26. 2007
Life, history aside, reveals that wherever there is a goldmine, people will pack their bags and hurrily take flight like flocks of birds following the strong easterly winds. I mean, a literal "gold mine". Or call it a gold rush, if you will. It happened in 1851 in Victoria, Australia. It was then a colony of Britain. Upon learning that there were nuggets of gold to be found in almost all parts of Victoria, from Castlemaine to Ballarat and Bendigo, the population of Melbourne boomed. Evidently, the Victorian gold rush spawned an era of prosperity in this former British colony.
Wednesday, April 25. 2007
I was looking at a Gold Museum which reminded me of how rich Australia was in gold during that point in the country's history. Miners from Europe began to dig at Specimen Gully, Mount Alexander, Walhalla, and Mount Tarrengower. At Mount Tarrengower, the Aborigines actually found gold specks on the soil without digging. The most remarkable gold mining that occurred was at Walhalla, where after 40 years of mining, 50 tons of gold had been produced.
Tuesday, April 24. 2007
Even though gold mines have been exhausted in the 19th century, people are still speculating on the possibility of finding more gold. After the First World War, there have been few laborers left to dig. The Victorian gold rush has caused a population boom and prosperity. Profits went to England anyway, but there was still enough to sustain Australia to the next generation. This time, as the price of gold was beginning to soar, the government is looking at the prospect of gold mining once more. But the reefs were to be found in deeper soil now, and more sophisticated equipment would have to be used.
Monday, April 23. 2007
 I don't doubt that Mariscal Andres de Santa Cruz is one of the most influential and potent rulers of Bolivia, back in the post-colonial days. Bolivia gained independence from the Spanish conquistadors via the Bolivian War of Independence (named after the hero Simon Bolivar), beginning in the early 18th century. It took sixteen years of strife for the Bolivians to stand on their own feet and set up a republic. After this, come fruitful decades of prosperity as well as political instability.
Sunday, April 22. 2007
So I go back to Mariscal Andres de Santa Cruz. This leader is a man of steel, as Bolivia fought on numerous major battles and won against neighboring Latin countries such as Peru and Chile through his leadership. According to historians, Santa Cruz has been betrayed by Peruvian and Chilean armies when he had established the Paucarpata Peace Treaty with them. The intention is to allow the defeated armies to go back home without taking their weapons away. After the rout, Bolivia suffered some sixty years of unstable politics.
Saturday, April 21. 2007
A quick look on the map would reveal that Bolivia is entrenched between larger South American nations - and that it doesn't have immediate access to sea ports. In the middle of this crisis, the poor Latin country lost its wealth of Acre state and Antofagasta port. The Bolivians weren't living in the best economic condition despite the peak in the cost of silver in the market. Without Santa Cruz, Bolivia was crippled. It just goes to show how a national leader can make or break a country.
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World History Comments
Wed, 25.10.2006 17:11
I don't like his non-voilence principle. For me, it's only through violence we can achieve our ends.
Wed, 25.10.2006 17:11
I am amazed by the beliefs and achievements of Gandhi.
Sat, 21.10.2006 12:33
I don't know anything about African History.
Sat, 21.10.2006 12:33
Nelson Mandela has contributed a lot to South Africa.
Sat, 21.10.2006 12:05
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Fri, 20.10.2006 13:38
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Thu, 19.10.2006 17:42
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Thu, 19.10.2006 15:34
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Wed, 18.10.2006 14:54
I want to be like Gustave Eiffel. He's a genius.
Wed, 18.10.2006 14:54
Last summer, my family went to visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Sun, 15.10.2006 18:09
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Sun, 15.10.2006 16:51
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Sun, 15.10.2006 12:04
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Sun, 15.10.2006 11:42
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Sun, 15.10.2006 11:31
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