This book is a fantastic read! It is certainly the best book I have read so far this year! It deals with former President Teddy Roosevelt's exploration of a river in Brazil that had never been traveled by a white man. I've never been a huge fan of this Roosevelt but whether one agrees with his politics one cannot help but admire his courage in this incredible adventure.
Thank you so much for accepting my request! I hope you get a chance to check out my music and page sometime! I'd love to know what you think! Hugs, Kennidi
On August 6, 1926, just two months before his death, Harry Houdini performed his greatest feat, spending 91 minutes underwater in a sealed tank before escaping.
On August 1, 1981, at 12:01 a.m., MTV: Music Television launched with the words "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll.”. Those words were immediately followed by the original MTV theme song a montage of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The first music video shown on MTV was “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles.
William the Silent, of what is now the Netherlands, was assassinated on July 10, 1584, by Balthasar Gérard. He was the first national leader to be assassinated with a handgun. Gerard’s attempt was the fifth assassination attempt since 1582. Those who wanted him dead apparently believed if the old adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!” Gerard, and all the previous would-be assassins, were tortured and executed. Gerard’s sentence included that his right hand should be burned off with a red-hot iron, that his flesh should be torn from his bones with pincers in 6 different places, that he should be quartered and disemboweled alive, that his heart should be torn from his bosom and flung in his face, and that, finally his head should be taken off.
The night before his execution he was hung from a pole in pirson with a weight of 300 pounds attached to each of his big toes for half an hour. After this half hour he was fitted with shoes made of well-oiled, raw dog’s leather; the shoes were two fingers shorter than his feet. In this state he was put before a fire. When the shoes warmed up, they contracted crushing the feet inside them to stumps. When the shoes were removed, his half-broiled skin was torn off. After his feet were damaged, his armpits were branded. After that he was dressed in a shirt soaked in alcohol. Then burning bacon fat was poured over him and sharp nails were stuck between the flesh and the nails of his hands and feet. He is said to have remained CALM during his torture. Only then was his execution carried out per the court’s orders.
In a joust on June 30, 1559, King Henry II who was celebrating his daughter’s marriage was fatally wounded when the lance of his opponent went through his visor and splintered in his right eye and penetrated his right orbit and temple. The king would linger until July 10th. His queen, Catherine de Medici, in an effort to save his life, had four criminals beheaded and had lance points thrust into their eyes at the appropriate angle (to see what could be done to save the king by better understanding the wound he had received). Despite the efforts of the two best surgeons in Western Europe, the French monarch’s wound proved to be fatal.
