Bolivia

Potosí was one of the most populated cities in the world in the 1570s. It is located in the Altiplano region of Bolivia, at an altitude of over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). The city was founded in 1545, after the discovery of a large silver deposit in the area.

Potosí's silver mine was one of the richest in the world, and it attracted miners and merchants from all over the world. The city's population grew rapidly, and it eventually exceeded 200,000 people.

The city of Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace), commonly known as La Paz, was founded on October 20, 1548 by the Spanish conquistadors at the site of the Native American settlement, Laja.

On July 16, 1809 the city of La Paz declared its independence from the Spanish Crown during the La Paz revolution and formed the Junta Tuitiva, the first independent government in Spanish America, led by Pedro Domingo Murillo.

The Republic of Bolivia was created in 1825 at the Congress of Upper Peru. Until 1825 Bolivia was known as the region of Charcas. 

Bolivia became landlocked in 1904 after losing the War of the Pacific. However, the country still observes the Day of the Sea, "where politicians give speeches and people listen to the recorded sound of seagulls."

When Juan Evo Morales Ayma was inaugurated as the 80th President of Bolivia on January 22, 2006, he became the country's first democratically elected, fully Amerindian leader.

In 2011 Bolivia passed its Law of Mother Earth, granting all of nature equal rights to humans.

In 2014, the 54-year-old Morales became the oldest active professional soccer player in the world after signing a contract for 214 dollars a month with Sport Boys Warnes, a team based in the south-eastern province of Santa Cruz.

Amidst allegations that Morales rigged the 2019 Bolivian general election, he resigned on November 10, 2019. Morales fled to Mexico and was granted asylum there.

Evo Morales. Photo by Roberto Stuckert Filho/

The highest navigable lake in the world is found in Bolivia at 3810 meters above sea level (that's 12,382.5 feet above sea level.) It takes six hours to cross Lake Titicaca on a fast hydrofoil. It's also one of the deepest lakes in the world.

The largest deposit of salt on Earth can be found in Bolivia. The Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni salt beds or salt flats) contain over 64 million tons of salt.

The Palacio de Sal Hotel and Spa in Uyuni, Bolivia is completely made out of salt.

The largest deposit of lithium in the world is found under all that salt. Major battery manufacturers are now interested in Bolivia because they want to extract the lithium to make long-lasting batteries for cars and mobile phones.

Bolivia is home to the Cerro Mutún, located in the department of Santa Cruz. It is the world's largest iron ore mine.

Bolivia is also home to the world's one and only known bolivianita mine. Bolivianita (ametrine) is a precious stone or gem that is partially yellow and partially purple. It's produced when citrine and amethyst combine.

The most dangerous road in the world is in Bolivia. It is called the "Death Road" (Spanish: "Carretera de la Muerte"). It is a 69-kilometer (43-mile) stretch of road that winds through the Andes mountains between La Paz and Coroico. The road is narrow and winding, with many hairpin turns and steep drops. It is also often foggy and wet, which makes it even more dangerous.

The Death Road is estimated to have claimed the lives of over 300 people since it was built in the 1930s. However, it is still in use today, as it is the only road that connects La Paz and Coroico.

Only about 28% of all roads in Bolivia are paved (mostly in the cities). The majority are unpaved, and they are often in poor condition

Bolivia is home to the two highest cities in the world. Potosí is the highest, and La Paz (see below) is the second highest and also the highest capital city.  

La Paz, Bolivia, was the first South American city to get an electricity supply. It was powered by llama dung.

Over 60% of the population is of Indian descent. -The biggest groups are the Quechua, Aymara, and Guarani Indians. -The Quechuas are descended from the Incas.

Bolivia has 37 official languages: Spanish and 36 indigenous languages, some of which are extinct. 

Many homes in Bolivia have a dried llama fetus buried under their foundations for good luck and protection.

The main exporter of Brazil nuts is not Brazil. It's Bolivia.

Native Bolivians eat saltenas. One of their delicacies is guinea pig. They also eat armadillo.

Sources http://www.boliviabella.com/facts.html, Daily Express

Simon Bolivar

Simon Bolivar was born in a house in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 24, 1783. His father, Coronel Don Juan Vicente Bolívar y Ponter, was a wealthy aristocratic landowner who had married into Spanish aristocracy. His mother was Doña María de la Concepción Palacios y Blanco. He had two older sisters and a brother: María Antonia, Juana, and Juan Vicente. Another sister, María del Carmen, died at birth.

Bolívar's father died when Simon was two and a half years old and his mother passed away when he was approaching nine years of age. He then was placed in the custody of a severe instructor, Miguel José Sanz, but this relationship did not work out and he was sent back to his home.

He was educated by private tutors in Caracas and also in Spain, which Bolivar completed in 1799. The most influential of his tutors was Don Simón Rodríguez, who understood young Simon's personality and inclinations, and tried from the very beginning to be an empathetic friend. They took long walks through the countryside and climbed mountains. Don Simón taught the youngster how to swim and ride horses, and, in the process, taught him about liberty, human rights, politics, history, and sociology.

When Simon was fourteen, Don Simón had to abandon the country, as he was accused of being involved in a conspiracy against the Spanish government in Caracas. Thus, Simon entered the military academy of the Milicias de Veraguas, which his father had directed as colonel years earlier. Through these years of military training, he developed his fervent passion for armaments and military strategy, which he later would employ on the battlefields of the wars of independence.

For a time Bolívar was part of Napoleon's retinue during which he witnessed the coronation of the French Emperor in Notre Dame, and this majestic event left a profound a impression upon him. From that moment he wished that he could emulate similar triumphant glory for the people back home in Venezuela.

While in Madrid during 1802, he married María Teresa Rodríguez del Toro y Alaysa, who was the daughter of a nobleman. However on a brief return visit to Venezuela the following year, she succumbed to yellow fever. Bolívar never married again.

Bolívar was a Freemason. He was initiated in 1803 in Cadiz, Spain's Masonic Lodge Lautaro. It was in this lodge that he first met some of his revolutionary peers, such as José de San Martín. In May 1806 he was conferred the rank of Master Mason in the "Scottish Mother of St. Alexander of Scotland" in Paris.

Simón Bolívar had a long, thin face, long sideburns, and dark hair. He was also known for his piercing eyes and his commanding presence. 

Simón Bolívar began his military career in 1810 as a militia officer in the Venezuelan War of Independence. He fought for the first and second Venezuelan republics and the United Provinces of New Granada.

Bolívar was forced to flee Venezuela after the Spanish forces defeated his army in the Second Battle of La Puerta on June 15, 1814.  He went to Jamaica to seek support for his cause and to plan his next move.

While in Jamaica, Bolívar wrote the Letter from Jamaica, which outlined his vision for a united and independent Latin America. He also met with British officials and tried to convince them to support the independence movement.

Bolívar eventually left Jamaica in 1816 and returned to Venezuela to continue the fight for independence.

By 1819, Bolivar had freed much of South America from Spanish occupation. On December 17, 1819 he proclaimed the republic of Gran Colombia, comprising the territories of present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, northern Peru, western Guyana and northwest Brazil. Bolívar became the first president of Gran Colombia on  that date.

Bolívar's presidency was characterized by efforts to promote unity among the various regions of Gran Colombia.

The Republic of Bolivia was created in 1825 at the Congress of Upper Peru. Bolívar is thus one of the few men to have a country named after him.

In the last eight years of his life, Bolívar had a relationship with Manuela Sáenz (1797 – 1856), the illegitimate daughter of a Spanish nobleman in Quito, Ecuador. She married a wealthy English merchant in 1817 and became an aristocrat and socialite in Lima, Peru, where she became active in support of revolutionary efforts. Leaving her husband in 1822, she soon began an eight-year collaboration and intimate relationship with Bolívar that lasted until his death in 1830.

After Manuela prevented an 1828 assassination attempt against her lover and facilitated his escape, Bolivar began to call her, "Libertadora del Libertador", the liberator of the liberator and she was celebrated and given many honors.

Bolívar resigned his presidency of Gran Colombia on April 27, 1830 in response to ongoing conflicts and divisions within the country. His resignation marked the end of Gran Colombia, as the country was unable to maintain unity after his departure. 

Simón Bolívar was raised as a Catholic and attended Catholic schools. However, he became disillusioned with the Church after the Spanish monarchy refused to grant independence to the Spanish colonies in the Americas. He also became critical of the Church's role in supporting the institution of slavery.

In 1815, Bolívar was excommunicated by the Catholic Church for his support of independence. He wrote a letter to Pope Pius VII, in which he defended his actions and argued that the Church should not interfere in political matters.

Bolívar never explicitly stated that he was an atheist, but he did express doubts about the existence of God. In a letter to a friend, he wrote, "I do not believe in God, but I fear him."

Bolivar intended to leave the country for exile in Europe or the Caribbean, but died a disillusioned man on December 17, 1830, at a friend’s estate in Colombia after a painful battle with tuberculosis. 

"America," Bolívar said on his deathbed, " is ungovernable. Those who have served the revolution, have ploughed the sea."

His remains were buried in the cathedral of Santa Marta. Twelve years later, in 1842, at the request of President José Antonio Páez, they were moved from Santa Marta to Caracas, where a monument was set up for his interment in the National Pantheon of Venezuela. The 'Quinta' near Santa Marta has been preserved as a museum with numerous references to his life.

In 2010, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered Bolivar be exhumed to examine whether he had been murdered. After no evidence of foul play was found, Chavez gave his remains a new coffin, made of mahogany and encrusted with diamonds, pearls and golden stars.

Brazil, Chile, Guyana and Suriname are the only countries in South America that do not have cities, towns or provinces named after Bolivar.

The Bolívar, Venezuela’s basic unit of currency is named after him.

Bolívar fought in over 200 battles during his military career, and he won many of them against superior Spanish forces. He was a brilliant strategist and a charismatic leader, and he inspired his troops to fight for independence.

Sources Wikipedia and my knowledge.

Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn was born sometime between 1501 - 1507 at Blicking Hall, Norfolk, England. A lack of parish records from the period has made it impossible to establish Anne's exact date of birth.

Her father, Sir Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Wiltshire (1477-1539), was a wealthy diplomat whose offices included ambassador to France and Envoy to Holy Roman Emperor. Anne's mother, Elizabeth Howard was the daughter of the 2nd Duke of Norfolk. Later tradition would claim that the Boleyns were practically middle-class, but recent research has proven that Anne Boleyn was born a "great lady". Her great-grandparents included a Lord Mayor of London, a duke, an earl, two aristocratic ladies and a knight.

Anne was brought up at Hever Castle in Kent, her family having purchased it in 1462.

Before she'd reached her teens, Anne was invited to join the schoolroom of Margaret of Austria, daughter of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor. Margaret was so impressed with Anne that she offered her a place in her household. Anne stayed with Margaret from spring 1513 until her father arranged for her to attend King Henry VIII's sister Mary, who was about to marry Louis XII of France in October 1514.  She went on to be a maid of honor to Queen Claude of France, with whom she stayed nearly seven years.

Margaret of Austria loved music and was a patron of many European composers. Also at the French court, musicianship was held in high esteem. It was during her time in France that Anne compiled the songbook that she kept with her at all times, which may well have been a source of comfort to her before her execution.

In her younger days Anne created a recipe for a small tart with an almond, curd cheese and lemon filling. Henry was so enchanted he named the creator of the cake maid of honor.

Anne's older sister, Mary was a mistress to Henry VIII for four years, before Anne and the king began their relationship.

It was on Shrovetide 1526 that Henry VIII  began pursuing Anne. She refused to become the King's mistress, but began a correspondence with him, (The Vatican library preserves 12 love letters he wrote to her). Fluent in French, some of Anne's love letters between her and Henry were in French.

Henry proposed marriage to her sometime in 1527 (probably around New Year), while he sought a divorce from Catherine of Aragon. After some hesitation, she agreed.

It was in order to marry Anne that Henry divorced his first wife, Catherine of Aragon and thus initiated the quarrel with the Pope that led to the English reformation. In other words if Anne had been born with a double chin and cauliflower ears maybe the Church of England would never have been born.

Once she became the king's mistress, Anne became the victim of a public hate campaign, mobilised by Katherine of Aragon's supporters, and in 1531 a crowd of 8,000 women marched through the streets of London in an attempt to lynch her.

When, in 1532, Henry gave her the title Marchioness of Pembroke, it was the first time a woman had ever been created a peer in her own right.

Anne and Henry finally slept together for the first time in late 1532 at Calais, and her reasons for submitting at this point are difficult to fathom. They married in secret on January 25, 1533 and Archbishop Cranmer blessed the marriage a few months later.

Anne's coronation on June 1, 1533 was marked by the people's hostility, and the crowds refused to remove their hats as a sign of respect for their new queen. When asked what she had made of London at her coronation, Anne replied, "I liked the City well-enough, but I saw few caps in the air and heard few tongues."

Despite being a Catholic herself, Anne was sympathetic towards the new Bible-based Protestantism and Martin Luther viewed her rise to the throne as a positive sign.

Anne was unable to supply a male heir for Henry, there were only several miscarriages, a still birth and the illegitimate Elizabeth, who was conceived before they married. However, Anne's lack of success on the child bearing front was causing concern and when she miscarried for the last time, Henry thought the marriage was damned.

Anne had beautiful coal black eyes with long dark hair, long neck, swarthy complexion, middling to pert stature. She wasn't a physical beauty but had the ability to exploit her vivacious personality.

By Unknown 

Anne played an enormous role in England's international position, by solidifying the French alliance in 1531. She established an excellent rapport with the French ambassador, de la Pommeraye, who was completely captivated by her and paid tribute to her formidable intellect and influence over English foreign policy.

The diplomat John Barlow was devoted to Anne, and spied for her in Rome. Later in life this ability to attract fanatical male devotion back-fired spectacularly when she found herself the object of feverish unrequited love from a Dutch musician in her household called Marc Smeaton.

Anne had a rather off-putting habit, first observed during her coronation banquet, of vomiting during meals. So one of her ladies in waiting had to hold up a sheet to shield her from other diners at appropriate moments.

Her enemies exaggerated her defects, claiming Anne was a witch with six fingers. In fact she had two finger tips on the end of one finger.

Anne's personality was complex, and it has been greatly distorted by those opposed to her marriage and religious views. She was also a very loyal woman who gave generously to charity and, contrary to popular myth, was extremely emotional.

Anne was gifted musically - her extra finger tip must have made her a mean harpsichord player. Old dark eye's ballads included "O Deathe oche me on Sepe" which is said to have moved her husband.

William Forrest, author of a contemporary poem about Catherine of Aragon, complimented Anne's "passing excellent" skill as a dancer. "Here", he wrote, "was [a] fresh young damsel, that could trip and go."

Anne was quite sporty and went riding and hunting with Henry. However during one deer shoot with the king, she shot a cow.

An early-20th-century painting of Anne Boleyn, depicting her deer hunting with the King

Anne was a great card player and she won lots of money and other things when she played with Henry.

She knew that her failure to produce a male heir for Henry had placed her in a tricky position. On April 26, 1536, Anne met with her chaplain, the Protestant reformer Matthew Parker, and asked him to watch over her daughter if anything happened to her.

Anne Boleyn was watching a game of real tennis on May 2, 1536 when she was arrested for incest with her half brother, infidelity with four others, treason and witchcraft. When told of the charge Anne said "Oh, Lord help me as I am guiltless of that where I am charged." She was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Anne was sentenced to be beheaded at Tower Green, London on May 19, 1536. She requested to be executed by sword and the service of a skilled executioner of Calais was engaged, who used a sword for the beheading according to French practice instead of the axe used by English executioners. Anne rehearsed the beheading the night before and the execution itself had to be delayed so she had to walk around the block weeping and laughing in turns.

She was a great animal lover and had a dog called Purkoy. While Anne was awaiting execution, Purkoy fell from a window and died. None of her ladies-in-waiting could break the news.

Anne had a wolfhound called Vrian who was allegedly beheaded along with her.

Her last words were probably sarcastic about her husband, "A gentler or more merciful prince was there never. To me he was ever a good, gentle and sovereign lord. Christ have mercy on my soul."

Anne refused to be blindfolded and the executioner found her so disarming he persuaded someone to attract her attention so he could steal up silently behind her to carry out the death penalty.

Meanwhile Henry was in Epping Forest taking part in a hunt waiting for a signal to proclaim the news that "it" had been done.

Henry wore white to Anne's funeral. A day later he was betrothed to Jane Seymour.

Anne was buried in the chapel of St Peter at the Tower of London in a box that had contained arrows. When the chapel was restored in 1876, Queen Victoria had the 1,500 bodies buried there exhumed and properly reburied including Anne.

Charles Darwin, Winston Churchill and PG Wodehouse could all trace their ancestry back to the Boleyn family.

You may not be aware of the 1936 novelty song "With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm" but its worth checking out. Click here to listen to the ditty and read its songfacts.

Almost 500 years after their relationship, new legislation was introduced in 2015 allowing Irish citizens to trash talk Anne Boleyn for marrying Henry VIII.

Boiler

A boiler is a closed vessel or container designed to heat water or other fluids. It is commonly used to generate steam for various industrial processes or to provide hot water for heating purposes. Boilers operate by heating the fluid inside the vessel using a heat source, such as natural gas, oil, electricity, or solid fuels like wood or coal.

Boilers come in various types and designs, including fire-tube boilers and water-tube boilers. They play a crucial role in numerous industries and applications by providing a reliable and efficient source of heat energy.

Fire-tube boiler

The use of heated water and steam can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Chinese. These civilizations used simple devices to heat water for bathing and other domestic purposes.

The earliest known example of a boiler dates back to ancient Greece, where a device called the "aeolipile" was created by Hero of Alexandria around the 1st century AD. While not a practical boiler in the modern sense, it used steam pressure to create rotational motion.

The development of boilers gained significant momentum during the Industrial Revolution (late 18th to early 19th century). As industries expanded and the demand for steam-powered machinery increased, the need for efficient boilers became more pronounced. Early boilers were often large, cumbersome, and had limited safety features.

James Watt, a Scottish engineer, is credited with significant contributions to steam engine technology. In the late 18th century, Watt improved the efficiency of steam engines and introduced safety features to prevent explosions. His innovations laid the foundation for safer and more efficient boilers.

The Cornish boiler, developed in the early 19th century, was a horizontal, fire-tube boiler designed for industrial use. It featured a large cylindrical shell with a single internal fire tube. This design improved heat transfer efficiency and allowed for higher steam production.

The Lancashire boiler, also developed in the 19th century, was a larger version of the Cornish boiler. It had two internal fire tubes running through the boiler's shell, further enhancing heat transfer and steam generation capabilities.

In the mid-19th century, the concept of water-tube boilers emerged. These boilers had water-filled tubes that allowed for higher pressure and faster steam production. Water-tube boilers were more compact and efficient, making them suitable for industrial applications and steamships.

For much of the Victorian "age of steam", the only material used for boilermaking was the highest grade of wrought iron, with assembly by rivetting. In the 20th century, design practice instead moved towards the use of steel, which is stronger and cheaper, with welded construction, which is quicker and requires less labour.

As the use of boilers expanded, safety concerns grew. Boiler explosions were a significant risk due to poor design, lack of maintenance, and inadequate safety features. This led to the development of boiler safety regulations and standards to ensure safer operation.  The explosion of a steam boiler in New York City's Financial District in 1858 led to the establishment of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to develop safety standards for boilers and pressure vessels.

The RMS Titanic, the famous ocean liner that tragically sank in 1912, was powered by a system of 29 boilers. These boilers provided steam to power the ship's engines, propelling it across the Atlantic.

The term "piping hot" comes from the practice of using steam pipes to heat food. In the early 20th century, steam pipes were commonly used in restaurants and kitchens to keep food warm.

In recent decades, there has been a growing emphasis on environmental sustainability. As a result, modern boilers incorporate technologies to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency, and utilize renewable energy sources.

Stainless steel is virtually prohibited for use in wetted parts of modern boilers by the ASME Boiler Code due to its susceptibility to corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. However, it is often used in superheater sections that will not be exposed to liquid boiler water.

The Hartford Loop is a safety device that is used on steam boilers to prevent them from boiling dry. It is a simple piping arrangement that allows condensate to re-enter the boiler but prevents complete loss of steam boiler water should a leak develop elsewhere in the condensate return line.

The Hartford Loop works by creating a water seal in the condensate return line. The water seal prevents the steam from escaping from the boiler, even if the condensate return line leaks. This means that the boiler will not boil dry, even if there is a leak in the condensate return line.

The Hartford Loop was invented in 1919 by the Hartford Steam Boiler and Insurance Company. The company was concerned about the high number of boiler explosions that were occurring at the time. The Hartford Loop was designed to help prevent these explosions by preventing boilers from boiling dry.

Why is a temperature pressure gauge on a boiler called a tridacator? Tri means three; temperature is one, pressure is two, and the third one is the height of the water, in feet, which is above the pressure gauge.

Bogata

Bogotá is the capital and largest city of Colombia, located in the Andean region of South America. It is situated at an altitude of approximately 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest major cities in the world. 

Bogotá, originally called Bacatá by the Muiscas, was the center of their civilization before the Spanish conquest, and sustained a large population.

The European urban settlement was founded in August 6, 1538, by Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada and was named "Santa Fé de Bacatá" after his birthplace Santa Fé and the local name.

The Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, founder of the city

"Bacatá" had become the modern "Bogotá" by the time it was made the capital of the vice-royalty of New Granada, and the city soon became one of the centers of Spanish colonial power and civilization in South America.

Bogotá citizens declared independence from Spain on July 20, 1810 and set up a government of their own, but had to contend with Spanish military loyalists, who controlled the city until 1819, when Simón Bolívar captured the city after his victory at Boyacá.

Bogotá was then made the capital of Gran Colombia, a federation combining the territories of modern Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela. When that republic was dissolved into its constituent parts, Bogotá remained the capital of New Granada, which later became the Republic of Colombia.

Bogotá in 1887

In August 2000 the capital's name was officially changed back from "Santa Fé de Bogotá" to the more usual "Bogotá".

Bogotá is the fourth largest city in South America, with an estimated 11.5 million residents in 2023.

Bogotá, had a tram network from 1883 to 1991. The network was once the largest in South America, but it was shut down due to a combination of factors, including financial problems, rising crime, and competition from buses.

Since the collapse of the tram network, Bogotá has relied on buses and taxis for public transportation. However, the city is now facing a growing traffic problem, and there is a demand for a more efficient and sustainable form of public transportation.

Bogotá is the largest city in the world without a working passenger railway station.

Bogotá is located at an altitude of 2,640 m (8,660 ft) above sea level. The city is situated at the base of two mountains, Guadalupe and Montserrat. The high altitude has also given it the position of the third highest major city in the world.

The motto of the city is "2600 meters closer to the stars" (in reference its altitude above sea level).

The city average temperature is 14°C (57 °F), varying from 9ºC (48°F) to 22ºC (71°F).

Bogotá houses the Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro, the biggest theater festival in the world every two years.

Bogotá is also known as "La Atenas Suramericana," the South American Athens, given the locals' penchant for education and manners.

The city has institutionalized a day without cars on the streets, called "El Día sin Carro" (The Day without Cars). It takes place every first Thursday of February.

Source Ladatco

Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart was born on December 25, 1899 in New York City. He used to joke that he was cheated out of a present every year because of his birth date.

For many years it was rumored that Humphrey Bogart’s birthday had been moved by 336 days, from January 23rd to Christmas Day, because Warner Brothers thought it more ‘romantic’ for their leading man. When he died, it was discovered that December 25th was his birthday after all.

As a boy, Humphrey Bogart was teased for his curls, his tidiness, the "cute" pictures his mother had him pose for, the Little Lord Faunteloy clothes she dressed him in—and the name "Humphrey."

Humphrey Bogart had a variety of jobs before he became an actor. He worked as a truck driver, a clerk, a delivery boy, and a bond salesman. 

He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1918 and spent much of his service ferrying troops back home from the Western Front.

In 1921, Bogart began his acting career on the stage. He appeared in several Broadway productions, including The Dark Tower (1921), The Wild Party (1929), and The Petrified Forest (1935).

Bogart made his film debut in 1930 with the motion picture Up the River. He had a small role in the movie, but he quickly began to get more prominent roles. In 1936, he had his breakthrough role as Duke Mantee in The Petrified Forest. This film was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to launch Bogart's career as a leading man.

Bogart went on to star in many classic films, including The Maltese Falcon (1941), Casablanca (1942), The Big Sleep (1946), and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948).

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were one of the most iconic couples in Hollywood history. They met on the set of the film To Have and Have Not in 1944, when Bacall was just 19 years old and Bogart was 45. They quickly fell in love, and were married a year later. They had two children together, Stephen and Leslie. 

Humphrey Bogart repeatedly clashed with his studio chief Jack Warner. He said that when he refused to appear on set, he would receive a letter from Jack, "saying that if I didn’t report, he’d cut my throat. He’d sign it 'Love to Betty'." [Bogart’s wife, Lauren Bacall].

Casablanca, the movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, premiered in New York City on November 6, 1942. Contrary to common belief, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) never said "Play it again, Sam" in Casablanca. 

Greenstreet and Bogart

Humphrey Bogart was an avid chess player, often playing on set between takes. During World War II, he played correspondence chess with GIs posted overseas or in hospitals. The FBI intercepted this mail and thought he was sending secret codes to Europe.

Though a poor student, Bogart was a lifelong reader. He could quote Plato, Alexander Pope, Ralph Waldo Emerson and over a thousand lines of Shakespeare. He admired writers, and some of his best friends were screenwriters.

Humphrey Bogart: “I came out here with one suit and everybody said I looked like a bum. Twenty years later Marlon Brando came out with only a sweatshirt and the town drooled over him. That shows how much Hollywood has progressed."

In 1956, while still in the prime of his career, Bogart was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Surgery failed to remove the cancerous growth and he died of esophageal cancer in Los Angeles on January 14, 1957. Humphrey Bogart was 57 years old. His attributed last words were "I should never have switched from scotch to martinis."

Humphrey Bogart is buried with a silver whistle bearing the legend "If you need anything just whistle," a constant reminder of the first film he made with his wife, Lauren Bacall, To Have and Have Not.

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall

Humphrey Bogart was a seventh cousin twice removed of Princess Diana. They were both descended from Robert Spencer, the 2nd Earl of Sunderland, who was born in 1641.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (c. 480–524/525 AD) was a Roman philosopher, statesman, and theologian, known for his significant contributions to Western thought, particularly in the fields of philosophy and music theory. He lived during the transitional period between the end of the Western Roman Empire and the early Middle Ages.

Boethius was born into a prominent Roman family and received a thorough education in both the liberal arts and philosophy. He became highly skilled in Greek and Latin literature, mathematics, and philosophy. He served in various governmental positions under King Theodoric the Great, who ruled the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy.

In 523 Boethius, who was the head of the civil service and chief of the palace officials for Theodoric The Great in Rome was arrested on suspicion of secret dealings with Theodoric’s enemies in Constantinople. During his time in prison awaiting execution, he wrote The Consolation of Philosophy, which encouraged man to find consolation through meditation and prayer.

Boethius' Farewell To His Family by Jean-Victor Schnetz

Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and Lady Philosophy. She helps him confront his despair and suffering by exploring philosophical ideas and insights and giving him Stoic, Platonic, and Christian advice. The book deals with themes of fate, free will, divine providence, and the nature of happiness.

Boethius also wrote five theological treatises, which systematically applied the logic of Aristotle to Christian theology. They earned him the label of the first of the scholastic philosophers- one who attempts to use philosophy to explain Christian faith.

Boethius famously claimed that it is wrong to say what God is. Instead we should say what God is not, since the moment we say what he is we reduce him, thus diminishing him to the level of our inadequate thoughts and even more inadequate language.

Boethius also made important contributions to music theory. His treatise De Institutione Musica (Fundamentals of Music) explored the mathematical and metaphysical principles underlying music. 

Boethius' work was based on Greek music theory, but he made some changes to the system. For example, he mixed up the names of the modes. The ancient Phrygian mode became the modern Dorian mode, and the ancient Dorian mode became the modern Phrygian mode. This is why we still use the names "Dorian" and "Phrygian" for these modes today, even though they are not the same as the ancient modes.

Boethius' work also introduced the concept of musica mundana, which is the music of the spheres. This is the belief that the planets and stars produce music as they move through the sky. Musica mundana was an important concept in medieval cosmology and philosophy.

De Institutione Musica was a major influence on Western music theory and thought. It helped to preserve Greek music theory and to transmit it to the Middle Ages. It also helped to shape the way we think about music today.

After his execution, Boethius' works continued to be highly regarded and influential throughout the Middle Ages. His writings were studied by scholars and philosophers, and his ideas helped shape the development of medieval Christian philosophy and theology.

During the Middle Ages The Consolation of Philosophy was a much-revered work and English translations were written by Alfred the Great, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Queen Elizabeth I.