Farewell, 2024!

As we wind down 2024 and look to 2025, it’s important to take a moment and reflect on the last 12 months, to remember where we’ve been and where we’re going.

Join us in a review of some of the most interesting and most impactful events of the year.

Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

Donald Trump was elected for a second term as president of the United States, and the campaign was the craziest, most eventful in living memory.

Of all the things that happened, perhaps the most outrageous event was the attempted assassination of Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, PA on July 13, 2024. A 20-year old man shot several rounds at the former president, hitting him once and killing an unfortunate bystander before being taken out by Secret Service agents on the scene.

Donald Trump - Shooting Location (Google Maps)
Donald Trump - Shooting Location

Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapses

Early on the morning of March 26, a massive container ship lost control and crashed into a pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. What seemed like an unfortunate accident quickly turned into a tragedy, as the center portion of the bridge collapsed into the water below, killing six construction workers who were unable to evacuate the bridge in time.

The bridge was the second-largest truss bridge in the US, and spanned the entry into the Port of Baltimore, which is one of the largest and busiest ports in the United States. Shipped into and out of the port was brought to a near standstill for several weeks. It will take at least four years to rebuild the bridge, at a cost of nearly $2 billion!

Francis Scott Key Bridge (Google Maps)
Francis Scott Key Bridge

Hurricane Helene Devastates North Carolina

There were two major hurricanes to hit the eastern seaboard of the United States in 2024, and both caused significant destruction in their wake. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on September 27, and moved inland through Georgia, South Carolina, and into North Carolina and Tennessee, where it dumped up to two feet of rain on already-saturated ground.

Rains overwhelmed creeks and rivers, creating floods, mudslides, and washouts as the water covered the entire region. At least 225 people were killed, more than $125 billion in damages were sustained, and countless lives were changed completely.

Asheville’s beautiful Biltmore Estate, was not spared flood damage, and its iconic gate showed a water line of at least 15 feet above ground! The property, built by the wealthy Vanderbilt family as a “little summer retreat” is now a major tourist attraction. After much effort, the residence is now open for visitors again.

Biltmore Estate (StreetView)
Biltmore Estate

The town of Chimney Rock was one of many small enclaves in the Appalachian mountains that suffered near-total destruction when the nearby river flooded catastrophically. To this day, much of the damage is still visible. The area will never be the same, but the people of western North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee are resilient and will find a way forward.

Chimney Rock (StreetView)
Chimney Rock

Princess Kate’s Health Concerns

Royal watchers started the year with sad news, when Princess Kate of the UK stepped away from public life for a few weeks for “abdominal surgery.” After weeks without any update, the public grew suspicious, and the situation quickly got out of control. Eventually, the Palace announced she was getting treatment for cancer, and was recovering in private with William and the children at their home, Adalaide Cottage, on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The four-bedroom residence was once a royal retreat for Queen Victoria, and is now where the future king and queen work to raise their kids in a predictable and stable environment.

Prince William & Princess Kate's House (Adelaide Cottage) (Bing Maps)
Prince William & Princess Kate's House (Adelaide Cottage)

At the same time, King Charles too had a battle with cancer. But both stories have happy endings, as both royals have made a healthy recovery. They were seen participating in their usual Christmas procession at the Sandringham estate, where the royals have spent Christmas for decades. Kate mingled among the crowd of well-wishers for so long, she actually had to rush to catch up with her family. What a wonderful way to end a turbulent year for the family!

The Sandringham estate has been part of the royal property since the late 1800s, and quickly become a most beloved retreat for the family. Elizabeth II spent at least two months there every year, and when she died, the property was passed directly to her son Charles.

Sandringham House (Bing Maps)
Sandringham House

Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg Host the 2024 Summer Olympics

Perhaps the coolest news story of the year was the summer Olympics hosted in Paris, France, and the media buzz surrounding the Games.

The first city to host the Games three times, Paris went all out to ensure the competition was memorable, safe, and enjoyable. Many of the outdoor events were held at the Stade de France, the country’s national stadium and site of the national soccer team’s victory over Brazil to win the 1998 World Cup! It was also one of the sites of coordinated terrorist attacks in 2015, where 130 people were killed in attacks across metropolitan Paris.

Stade de France (StreetView)
Stade de France

One of the most entertaining aspects of the Games was the inclusion of two celebrity hosts, Snoop Dogg, and Martha Stewart. The two are fast friends in spite of their remarkable differences in backgrounds, personalities, and paths to success. Neither has any experience with competitive sport, but their banter and ability to explain events to viewers in a fun and engaging way quickly made them a highlight of the whole event.

Snoop lives in sunny California in a house he bought nearly 30 years ago for $720,000! The man worth more than $160 million seems to prefer spending his money on luxury threads, cars, and activities, rather than on a massive and expensive home.

Snoop Dogg's House (Birds Eye)
Snoop Dogg's House

Martha lives on the other side of the country in the historic and classy town of Katonah, in Westchester County, NY. The entertainment mogul worth $400 million lives on an estate with several houses, multiple gardens, farm animals, and everything America’s number one hostess could require. There’s even a house just for her basket collection!

Cantitoe Corners - Martha Stewart's House (Google Maps)
Cantitoe Corners - Martha Stewart's House

These days, things move so fast, it’s hard to remember what happened last month, let alone in the last year. It’s good to have a refresher and catch up on the year’s events as we say farewell to 2024, and look forward to whatever 2025 has in store!

Paris 2024 Olympians – Novak Djokovic

Here at VGT, we love tennis, and an Olympics Summer is like getting an extra major tournament! The men’s singles medal matches begin today in what should be some of the most exciting competition of the Paris games. The tennis has been played at Roland Garros, the annual site of the French Open.

Roland Garros (Google Maps)
Roland Garros

The favorite to win gold in Paris is Serbian great Novak Djokovic. Having already defeated his old rival Rafael Nadal earlier in the tournament, he should be primed to take on any competitor.

Novak Djokovic has a net worth of $240 million, with $184 million in career winnings and additional revenue from endorsement deals with brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Lacoste. Of course, his real estate portfolio is extremely impressive.

Marbella, Spain

Novak Djokovic’s primary residence since 2020 is this nine-bedroom, eight-bathroom Moroccan-style mansion in Spain. This house has been featured on his social media and stands out due to its marble floors, crystal chandeliers, Turkish bath, indoor gym, and tennis court. He bought this property for $10 million.

Novak Djokovic's House (Google Maps)
Novak Djokovic's House

Monte Carlo

Before moving to Spain, Djokovic primarily spent his time in Monaco, near the pro tennis hotspot Monte Carlo Country Club. This high-rise condo has a prime location with beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea and notoriously friendly tax laws.

Novak Djokovic's Apartment (Google Maps)
Novak Djokovic's Apartment

Serbia

Djokovic picked up this penthouse apartment in his native Serbia for $675,000 in 2018. The lavish 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom property overlooks Lake Pavlovac near the town of Irig.

Novak Djokovic's house (Google Maps)
Novak Djokovic's house

New York City

Novak Djokovic has also invested in property stateside, having previously owned luxury condos in Miami Beach. He currently owns two units in SoHo’s 565 Broome building. Each unit is over 2,000 square feet. Though they are not connected they are on the same floor!

Novak Djokovic's apartments (Google Maps)
Novak Djokovic's apartments

Check in with VGT throughout the Olympics! We’ll be featuring more Olympians and their luxurious homes throughout the event.

Paris 2024 Olympians – Golf

Le Golf National

Olympic golf begins today at le Golf National! This highly renowned course opened in 1990 and has hosted Ryder Cup and French Open events. The best golfers in the world will try their hand at mastering it’s famed course, Albatros, known for its water hazards and overall difficulty. One great golfer will be taking home a gold medal, maybe to one of the homes on VGT!

le Golf National (Google Maps)
le Golf National

Rory McIlroy

Having spent more than 100 weeks as the number-one golfer in the world, Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy will surely be one of the favorites to win a medal in Paris. He competed in the Tokyo Olympics and was one of seven golfers who competed in a sudden-death tiebreaker for the Bronze, which was ultimately won by Pan Cheng-tsung of Chinese Taipei. McIloroy’s hoping for better results this time around!

Rory McIlroy is one of the highest-paid athletes on the planet, earning $40-50 million per year from tournament winnings and endorsements, including a $100-million deal with TaylorMade. His net worth is estimated to be $170 million. His current home is in the golf-mecca Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Florida. It is a massive 12,800-square-foot mansion on 2.4 acres. He bought the house from golfer Ernie Els for $10 million in 2017.

Rory McIlroy's House (Birds Eye)
Rory McIlroy's House

Scottie Scheffler

Appearing in his first Olympics, American Scottie Scheffler is coming off a 2024 Masters victory and one is of the hottest golfers coming into Paris. Scheffler’s net worth is $90 million. He has earned $60 million in prize money, with the rest coming from endorsements with brands such as TaylorMade, Nike, and Rolex. Scottie Scheffler’s house is a relatively modest $2.1-million home in Dallas, Texas. Having turned down a reported $150-million deal to join the LIV golf league, it is clear that there are more important things than money for Scheffler, perhaps Olympic glory?

Scottie Scheffler's House (Google Maps)
Scottie Scheffler's House

Jason Day

Though he qualified for the Olympics in 2016 (the first time since 1904 that golf was an Olympic sport), Asutralian golfer Jason Day withdrew from competition due to concerns about the Zika virus in Brazil (Day’s wife was pregnant at the time). Injuries and sub-par play prevented his qualification in 2020, but he has qualified in 2024. The long journey to Olympic competition should fuel Day, who won the 2015 PGA Championship and is a former number-one-ranked golfer. His 5,800-square-foot Ohio home boasts 400 feet of reservoir frontage. He bought the home in 2010 for $2.425 million and lives there with his wife and four children. Jason Day’s net worth is $50 million.

Jason Day's House (Google Maps)
Jason Day's House

Check in with VGT throughout the Olympics! We’ll be featuring more Olympians and their luxurious homes throughout the event.

Virtual Tour: Paris

The Paris 2024 Olympics are finally here! Today, the historic opening ceremony graces the City of Light. Each competing nation will float down the Seine toward the Trocadero, where the Olympic cauldron will be lit in a first-of-its kind ceremony not held in a stadium.

Palais de Chaillot

More than ten thousand athletes will be competing in this year’s games, including some of the most famous in the world! They’ll arrive by boat at the site of the former Palais Trocadero, where the Palais de Chaillot was erected for the 1937 Paris Expo. This popular site features unrivaled views of the Eiffel Tower and will make a magnificent backdrop for this event.

Palais de Chaillot (Google Maps)
Palais de Chaillot

Eiffel Tower

Speaking of the Eiffel Tower, we’re sure you’ll be seeing a lot of it over the next couple of weeks, too. Constructed for the 1889 World’s Fair, this 1,000+-foot-tall wrought-iron tower is the tallest structure in Paris and was the tallest in the world until 1930. It is Paris’s most famous landmark and a hugely popular tourist destination due to its architectural significance and its panoramic views of the city.

Eiffel Tower (Birds Eye)
Eiffel Tower

Arc de Triomphe

At the West end of downtown Paris’ most famous street, the Champs-Élysées, you’ll find another massive Paris landmark–the Arc de Triomphe. This monument has stood since 1836 and memorializes the soldiers who died in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.

Arc de Triomphe (Google Maps)
Arc de Triomphe

Notre-Dame

If you thought the Arc de Triomphe was historic, the famous Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral was completed all the way back in 1345. In fact, the cathedral took nearly two hundred years just to be constructed. It is one of the most famous and visited Catholic landmarks in the world. A fire in 2019 caused major damage and the cathedral remains closed to visitors until December 2024, but you can still visit it virtually and see the scale of the reconstruction efforts here at VGT.

Notre Dame de Paris (Google Maps)
Notre Dame de Paris

Louvre Museum

No virtual trip to Paris is complete without taking in some art, and the Louvre Museum is one of the finest art museums in the world. From above, the iconic Louvre pyramid can be seen, which was designed by I.M. Pei and has stood since 1993. Inside the museum, a collection of some of the most famous paintings and artifacts can be found, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.

Louvre, The (Le Louvre) (Google Maps)
Louvre, The (Le Louvre)

Versailles Palace and Gardens

A short train ride outside of Paris will take you to the infamous Palace of Versailles, where the powerful Sun King Louis XIV and his descendants ruled France while living some of history’s most opulent lives. Though the royal family was forced out of the palace in the French Revolution, tourists now flock to this site to take in its grandeur. The massive interior is lined with art and the still-maintained gardens are a marvel as well.

Palace of Versailles (Google Maps)
Palace of Versailles

These are just some of the incredible sites to be seen in Paris! There are many  included here on VGT (click on the nearby tab on any map) and even more we haven’t yet captured. If you find more interesting spots, please add them for us. Pictures and stories for any of these sites will also enhance the virtual touring for others, so please share!

 

Temples, Cathedrals and Mosques from History

Civilizations around the world have always sought out ways to respect and worship their god or gods, and one universal method has been to create grand cathedrals or monuments as gathering places for worship, tribute and homage to their deity.

For thousands of years, communities have constructed at great effort houses of worship.

Let’s look at some of the most amazing creations from around the world.

Notre-Dame de Paris

Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world, and deserves all the recognition it gets for its detailed craftsmanship, architectural marvels and beautiful details.

It was started in 1163 and finished two hundred years later, a relatively fast construction for cathedrals at the time.

During the French Revolution, the cathedral was vandalized, dedicated to the cult of reason and eventually used as a warehouse for food before being rededicated as a Catholic cathedral.

It is now one of the top tourist destinations in Paris, and beloved for its stained glass, ornate craftsmanship and legendary history.

Notre Dame de Paris (Google Maps)
Notre Dame de Paris

Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá is a large archeological site of the ancient Mayan civilization, and includes several massive temples constructed for the worship of Mayan gods.

The Mayan culture thrived for several hundred years until they were wiped out by the Spaniards and the diseases that came with them in the early 1500s.

The Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo, is the most recognizable temple. With its 91 steps on each side, plus one more at the top to make 365, the Mayan understanding of astronomy and science is clear, and the temple played an important part of their worship as well as scientific study.

On the spring and fall equinox, the sun casts a shadow on the pyramid in the shape of a serpent.

Photo Credit: Mexpro.com

Excavations and research are ongoing at the site, and visitors can tour the many temples and pyramids, as well as ball courts and other sites.

Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza (Google Maps)
Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is a vast temple complex in Cambodia, originally dedicated as a temple to the Hindu god Vishnu before being transformed into a Buddhist temple.

Construction started in the 1100s, and it was modified for Buddhism around the 1300s. Though it fell into disrepair in the 1600s, it has been somewhat preserved, and is still frequented by Buddhist pilgrims.

The rectangular outer wall of the temple grounds stretches over half a mile by just under a half mile, giving it an enormous footprint. The interior temple is no less grand, with massive pillars, carvings and bas relief throughout the temple, both on the interior and exterior walls.

In the last 20 years, tourism has skyrocketed at the temple, and visitors from around the world flock to this marvel of dedicated craftsmanship and talent.

Angkor Wat (Google Maps)
Angkor Wat

Hagia Sophia

Originally constructed as one of the first Christian cathedrals, the Hagia Sophia was the jewel of the eastern Roman Empire’s capitol Byzantium.

When it was sacked by the Islamic Ottomans in 1453, it was turned into the city’s first mosque. The design was modified by adding minarets, a mihrab pointing towards Mecca, tombs for sultans as well as other ornate mosaics and artistic crafts common among Islamic and Ottoman structures.

The Hagia Sofia was turned into a museum by the first president of the Turkish Republic in 1935, and has been a renown museum since.

Hagia Sophia (Google Maps)
Hagia Sophia

Horyu-Ji

The Horyu-Ji temple in central Japan is known as the oldest wooden structure in Japan and among the oldest wooden structures in the world. The temple pagoda was built around the 700s AD and many other structures on the site were built around the 800s AD.

While there have been restorations and repairs as needed, these beautiful and ornate structures are still comprised mostly of the original materials.

The pagoda stands over 120 feet high, and the base is buried in the ground for added structural security. One remarkable feature of the temple is that it has withstood over 40 significant earthquakes in its lifetime.

Horyuji (Horyu Temple) (Google Maps)
Horyuji (Horyu Temple)

Looking back over these impressive structures, the dedication and talent committed to the construction and maintenance of these holy sites is impressive and awe inspiring. The hands that built and maintained these temples will never be known, but they should be recognized for their talent and devotion.

Going Back to School with Harry Potter

Kids across the US and the world are going back to school, and on September 1, the kids in some of the most beloved books head back to school, too.

In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, the wizard and witch students meet at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for another adventurous year.

Let’s visit some of the places the magical children in the books visited as they prepared for a year at the most magnificent Hogwarts.

Platform 9 3/4, King’s Cross Station, London, UK

Every year on September 1, the wizarding students from across England and Scotland meet at Platform 9 3/4 in King’s Cross Station in downtown London to say farewell to their families and board the Hogwarts Express, bound for Hogwarts in the Scottish highlands.

In order to get to the magic platform, students were required to run at full speed with their belongings towards the wall between platforms, which would open up for the students to catch the special train.

In the real King’s Cross, fans of the story can see a cart “stuck” in the wall between platforms 9 and 10. It’s a fun tourist attraction for Potterheads visiting London.

Platform 9¾. King's Cross Station (Harry Potter) (StreetView)
Platform 9¾. King's Cross Station (Harry Potter)

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hogwarts was established more than a thousand years ago, as a school for magical children ages 11 to 17. When Harry Potter was old enough, he too received an invitation to attend school. In the books, it is the central location for most of the magic, mayhem, and mystery of the wizarding world.

For some of the movies, Alnwick Castle in Northumberland was the filming location for Hogwarts. The castle was built in the 1300s, and has been added onto over the centuries. It’s also been adapted in recent decades to work as a school and sometimes as a filming location. In addition to Harry Potter, Downton Abbey specials were filmed there, as well as Elizabeth and other films.

Alnwick Castle (Bing Maps)
Alnwick Castle

Interior of Hogwarts

The scenes inside Hogwarts are some of the most important, and magical, of all the movies. It’s fitting that the scenes were filmed in a school that has been in use nearly as long as the school in the film. Christ Church in Oxford was the site of much of the interior filming, and has been the location for filming other movies and shows as well. The halls are some of the most breathtaking places in the university, and familiar to anyone who has seen the Potter movies.

Christ Church is part of the University of Oxford education system. More British leaders have graduated from Christ Church than any other institution, and it’s associated with many other famous political, scientific, and literary leaders.

Christ Church Cathedral (Birds Eye)
Christ Church Cathedral

Harry Potter’s House

Poor Harry Potter was forced to live in a cupboard in his uncle’s house until he moved away to Hogwarts. The exterior of the home was a real British home, in Bracknell, UK. The city is one of the westernmost towns in the greater London area, and is a perfect location for filming the home of a traditional, average British family.

Filming was onsite for the first film, but after that, the logistics were complicated, and so a film set was created based on the exterior of the house. In 2016, the private residence was put on the market for more than $500,000. No doubt the fame of the house contributed to the high price!

Harry Potter's house (Google Maps)
Harry Potter's house

Diagon Alley

Some of the most enchanting scenes in the Harry Potter movies take place in Diagon Alley, where wizards and witches gather to buy school supplies only magical students need, like wands, owls, and cauldrons. When Harry Potter first visited the market, he made a life-changing visit to Ollivander’s, where he chose his wand, or rather, his wand chose him. It was this wand that changed the future of the magical world.

In real life, Borough Market in downtown London is a market hall that’s been around for hundreds of years. It’s a perfect filming location for such a magical place.

Borough Market (Google Maps)
Borough Market

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, all these sites will be familiar and fun to see. And it’s exciting to know that they can be visited in real life. If you or your kids are going back to school, maybe you can gather around and watch a Harry Potter movie this weekend to relax and recover from the first week of school. Hopefully it won’t be as exciting or as dangerous as what Harry, Ron, Hermione and their friends experienced!

 

 

Remembering the D-Day Invasion at Normandy

On June 6, 1944, Allied forces began storming the beaches of Normandy, France, in an effort to liberate that country, and all of Europe, from Nazi control.

On the 79th anniversary of this pivotal operation, let’s take a look back and learn a little more about how this event helped the Allies win World War II.

Portsmouth Harbor, GB

Much of the invasion of northwest France originated in Portsmouth, Great Britain. Thousands of troops boarded boats on June 5, for the overnight ride across the English Channel to the beaches of Normandy, France.

Evidence of the war still remains, including submerged  portions of Mulberry harbors, which were temporary harbors constructed to help bring material into France from Allied ships after they secured the beachhead.

Mulberry Harbor (Google Maps)
Mulberry Harbor

Omaha Beach

British, American, and Canadian troops each attacked different areas of the Normandy coast, and each section was given a code name. American troops landed at Omaha and Utah Beaches. Landing was tough in the cold, choppy water.

Fighting to take over the beach was intense here, as the area was the most heavily defended by German soldiers.

Omaha Beach (Google Maps)
Omaha Beach

Omaha Beach Memorial

On the beach, there is a memorial called “Les Braves” to honor the 2,400 brave soldiers who gave their lives to take Omaha Beach, and the more than 34,000 men who fought so hard to liberate France by coming up the beach on June 6.

Omaha Beach Memorial (StreetView)
Omaha Beach Memorial

Pointe du Hoc

Dividing Omaha and Utah beaches is Pointe du Hoc, which is a tall cliff jutting into the ocean. Because of its height and position, it was an excellent defensive position held by Germans, and had to be taken in order for the D-Day invasion to be a success.

American Army Rangers scaled the hundred foot cliffs under grave danger, and reached their objective of securing the batteries and guns. Over two days, more than 135 men were killed or wounded.

The bunkers have been turned into a museum, where visitors can see what it would have been like as a German soldier, and how terrifying climbing the cliffs would have been for the Rangers.

Pointe du Hoc (Google Maps)
Pointe du Hoc

Utah Beach and Museum

The other American landing site was at Utah Beach, where the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions parachuted in to help the men who came up the beach from the water.

A museum has been built on the beach to commemorate the attack, all that went into it, and the impact it had on helping to end the war.

Utah Beach Landing Museum (StreetView)
Utah Beach Landing Museum

Azeville Battery

Three kilometres. or just under two miles from Utah Beach, was the Azevile Battery, where the German troops blasted away at soldiers attempting to land on the beach.

It took three days to take out the battery, which is now a local museum.

Azeville Battery (StreetView)
Azeville Battery

Battle of Normandy Museum

Just a few miles inland from the coast is Bayeux, France, one of the first towns liberated as the Allies marched towards Berlin and the end of the war. The city has created a museum that displays a comprehensive telling of the invasion, from planning to execution to final outcomes.

It is an amazing place to learn about the battle, the war, who fought it, and who it was for.

Battle of Normandy Museum (StreetView)
Battle of Normandy Museum

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

Thousands of allied soldiers died in Normandy, and their bodies could not be returned to their home countries. There is an American Cemetery in France where nearly ten thousand soldiers are buried and another 1,500 unidentified soldiers are honored.

It is an important stop on any visit to Normandy, to get a feel for the human cost of the invasion, and to honor the dead servicemen, and to leave with a complete understanding of the cost of war.

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial (Google Maps)
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

Statue of Major Richard Winters

There are many other memorials throughout Normandy, including a statue of Major Richard Winters, made famous in the HBO series Band of Brothers. He was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division of the American Army.

Major Richard Winters - Easy Company 101st Airborne (StreetView)
Major Richard Winters - Easy Company 101st Airborne

Memorial to John Steele

In Ste. Mere Eglise, there is a unique memorial to Private John Steele. Steele was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne who got caught up in a local cathedral, and hung on a pinnacle on the side of the church all night long. Amazingly, he survived the ordeal.

The town used his effigy to remember all those involved in the battle.

Ste Mère Eglise church - John Steele paratrooper (StreetView)
Ste Mère Eglise church - John Steele paratrooper

These are just a few of the many places people can visit, online or in real life, to witness, learn about, and honor the people who fought to liberate Normandy, France and Europe from the grip of the Nazis.

Deep Dive Into History: Conquering Constantinople

Many of us have heard the saying “Istanbul was Constantinople” but not all of us know what it means, or the incredible historical significance of the history behind the saying.

On the 570th anniversary of the fall of Constantinople, let’s take a tour of the ancient city, and learn about the history, at the same time.

Walls of Constantinople

The city, once called Byzantium, was already ancient by the time it was declared the capital of the Roman Empire in 330 AD. Emperor Constantine moved the capital east from Rome, in part to avoid the threat of invasion that continually came from the Germanic tribes. Among other actions to increase the stature of the city, it was renamed Constantinople after the Emperor.

Within a few years, massive walls were built around the city to protect it. And under Emperor Theodosius, the walls were expanded and thickened, and raised to 45 feet high! A second line of walls were constructed, making it impossible for opposing forces to conquer the city.

It wasn’t until the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror came in 1453 with the newly-invented gunpowder and cannon that the walls were breached and the city conquered forever.

Walls of Constantinople (Google Maps)
Walls of Constantinople

Bosphorus Strait

Istanbul is strategically located at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, the two continents divided by the Bosphorus Strait. City leaders protected the city with a chain strung across the Golden Horn, the major inlet bordering the city. For hundreds of years, the chain kept invaders from accessing the Strait and accessing the heart of the city.

Even Mehmed was unable to breach the chain, but he did have an innovative, and labor intensive, way to wage naval warfare on the seaside city. His soldiers actually paved a mile-long path and carry their light ships around the Asian side of the strait, so they could launch a surprise naval attack. This was one of many efforts Mehmed employed to wear down the city’s forces over seven weeks and eventually emerge victorius.

Bosporus Strait (Google Maps)
Bosporus Strait

Fatih Mosque

Mehmed dreamed of conquering the city from an early age. The military strategist recognized the value of the city’s location between Europe and Asia, right in the middle of territories already conquered by the Ottomans.

When he succeeded at capturing the city, he was only 21! Shortly after taking over the city, he made it the capital of the Ottoman Empire. These days, Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, and in Europe, and one of the largest cities in the world!

Mehmed loved his new capital, and was even buried there in the Fatih Mosque, which he had built in the 1470s. Fatih Mosque means Conqueror’s Mosque. It included several libraries dedicated to theology, medicine, law, and science.

The structure suffered significant damage in a 1766 earthquake, and has undergone several renovations in recent years. It is open to both worshipers and visitors alike.

Fatih Mosque (Google Maps)
Fatih Mosque

Hagia Sophia

The move to Constantinople also marked a shift from polytheism that marked the earlier Roman era to the monotheism of Christianity. Right away, the emperors began construction on churches. The current Hagia Sophia was built in 532, and was the largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years!

Within days of the city’s conquer, Mehmed began turning the Hagia Sophia into a mosque, a jewel of the city and his Islamic faith. The giant domed structure, with its four minarets, is one of the most recognized, and beautiful, holy sites in the world. These days, the building is a working mosque, but visitors are welcome.

Hagia Sophia (Google Maps)
Hagia Sophia

Hippodrome

Like many sites in the city, the Hippodrome predated the city’s status as empire capital. A hippodrome was a horse track, and it played an important place in civil society. The hippodrome could entertain 100,000 spectators at its height of popularity.

The Hippodrome was beautifully-adorned, including large horse statues that were taken to Venice, Italy, when Constantinople was sacked in 1204 by the Crusaders.

The place is now a beautiful city plaza called Sultan Ahmet Square, a gathering place filled with historical artifacts thousands of years old. The Turkish government has maintained and restored the site, including showing the path of the original horse track.

Hippodrome of Constantinople (Bing Maps)
Hippodrome of Constantinople

Valens Roman Aqueduct

One of the many reminders that the modern city of Istanbul has a long Roman tradition is the aqueduct that brought water to the city from springs nearly 100 miles away for more than 1200 years. The massive stone structures, with the easily-recognizable arched design, still stand, nearly 2000 years after they were initially constructed.

The ancient city water system passes over Ataturk Boulevard in downtown Istanbul, with cars actually driving under the arches. It’s a truly breathtaking juxtaposition of ancient and modern in one of the world’s most historical cities.

Valens Roman Aqueduct (Google Maps)
Valens Roman Aqueduct

If you ever have the chance, be sure to visit Istanbul, which only got its new name in 1930. It’s undoubtedly one of the most amazing, unique, and memorable places in the world. It’s position at the meeting point between Europe and Asia, where east meets west, where Christianity meets Islam, old meets new; it will certainly change you.

The Coronation of King Charles III

King Charles III acceded to the throne of the United Kingdom when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022. His coronation takes place today. He and his wife Camilla will officially be anointed and crowned as the King and Queen of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms. In honor of the momentous occasion, let’s look at some of the places that will be featured in the weekend’s ceremonial and celebratory events.

Buckingham Palace

The official London residence of the monarch, Buckingham Palace is where the day’s events will begin, and it’s where the royal family will gather to greet the crowds. After the King and Queen return from the coronation, they will gather on the West Terrace. There will be six minutes of fly-overs from military aircraft, as well as cheers from the armed forces, and lots of jubilation from the crowd.

The Palace is the administrative center of the monarchy, and has been since the time of Queen Victoria. During World War II, the Palace was hit by German bombs several times, once even when the king and queen were in residence! It was on the West Terrace that the royal family greeted rejoicing crowds when the war was officially declared over in 1945.

Buckingham Palace (Birds Eye)
Buckingham Palace

Coronation at Westminster Abbey

The Coronation, where Charles will be crowned and anointed, will take place at Westminster Abbey. The church has been the site of 39 coronations, dating back to William the Conqueror. The most recent coronation was for Elizabeth II, way back in 1953.

The gorgeous Gothic cathedral was originally constructed in 1065, and has been added on to and enhanced, and repaired several times. It was struck by German bombs in World War II, bombed by suffragettes in 1914, and burned several times in its history, but the structure still stands, a testament to the strength and longevity of the British people and their monarchy.

Westminster Abbey (Birds Eye)
Westminster Abbey

Victoria Memorial

On Saturday morning, King Charles and Queen Camilla will leave Buckingham Palace and travel by the Gold State Coach the 1.3 miles to Westminster Abbey. Along the way, they will greet crowds waiting to pay tribute to the royals and witness the monumental event. The procession will involve 4,000 personnel, mostly made up of ceremonial military officials.

The Victoria Memorial, honoring Queen Victoria, sits in front of Buckingham Palace, and is on the route the King and Queen will take to and from Westminster Abbey. The Memorial is often a centerpiece of London’s activity. It is the finishing line for the London Marathon, was a backdrop of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, and part of the London Olympics celebrations.

Victoria Memorial (Birds Eye)
Victoria Memorial

Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle

On Sunday, the celebrations will continue, with a Coronation Big Lunch encouraged across the country. This is a British tradition where people gather in their community for a picnic style lunch or gathering to celebrate the coronation, and the country.

Later in the evening on Sunday, there will be a Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, with 10,000 tickets being given to the general public. Tom Cruise, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli, and Tiwa Savage will headline the show.

Windsor Castle has played an important part of royal life since it was constructed by William the Conqueror. It was expanded by Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, and then remodeled again in the 1700s. The royal family often stayed here during World War II to avoid the bombings, and Elizabeth II spent most of her time here in her later years.

Windsor Castle (Birds Eye)
Windsor Castle

Crown Jewels at the Tower of London

The coronation is built on tradition and ceremony, and an important part of that is the crown and associated jewels worn by the king and queen. King Charles will wear the St. Edward’s Crown, which is modeled on a crown possibly dating back to Edward the Confessor.

The current crown was built in 1661 and weighs a heavy five pounds! But he will wear at least one other crown during the event. When he leaves the coronation he will wear the Imperial State Crown. Charles will also hold the Sovereign’s Sceptre, and Cross and Orb, which are important symbols representing the sovereign’s authority, and the Christian world.

The jewels, when not being used for the coronation, are kept safely at the Tower of London, where they are often on public display. The Tower was also founded during the reign of William the Conqueror, and originally used as a defensive castle for the king. Later, it has been used as a prison for high-profile prisoners including Anne Boleyn, and as a secure storage for the royal treasure.

Tower of London (Birds Eye)
Tower of London

Whether you’re a big fan of the royal family, or watching the weekend’s events for their historical value, knowing a little about the places and important items will make it all the more fun, and meaningful. And as long as he reigns in generosity and kindness, we can all say, “Long live the king!”

Deep Dive into History: Chernobyl Explosion

On April 26, 1986, the worst thing imaginable happened when a reactor at the Chernobyl power plant failed. Due to human error and a desire to cover up the accident, the meltdown quickly spiraled out of control, causing the worst nuclear disaster ever.

Remarkably, only 31 people died directly from the accident, but hundreds of thousands of lives were impacted from direct and indirect exposure, forced relocation, and fear of radiation exposure.

On the anniversary of the tragedy, let’s look back on what happened, and what things look like today.

Chernobyl Power Plant, Pripyat, Ukraine

During the Soviet era, nuclear power was a preferred source of energy for the Soviet Union, and the Chernoybl Power Plant was built to provide power for the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and the surrounding area.

By 1986, there were four reactors at the plant, with plans to build more in coming years. Interestingly, after Reactor Four suffered the catastrophic meltdown, the other reactors were not immediately decommissioned. In fact, it wasn’t until 2000 that the site was completely taken offline.

Chernobyl Power Plant (Google Maps)
Chernobyl Power Plant

City of Chernobyl, Ukraine

At the time, Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, and Chernobyl was a small city of 14,000. Many residents worked at or supported the power station just down the road. The city was founded nearly a thousand years ago, and has a rich and varied history. In particular, it was a major center of Judaism in the region, until the community was wiped out during World War II.

Despite being exposed to significant levels of nuclear contamination, the city was not evacuated until six days after the accident. Technically, the city has been abandoned since that time, but about 500 people still live there, with tacit permission from the government. In fact, some of the apartment buildings have been refitted to house the staff who are still working to this day to decommission and decontaminate the area.

During the initial invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a battle was fought in the area, on ground still emits dangerous levels of radiation, putting the soldiers at risk.

City of Chernobyl (Google Maps)
City of Chernobyl

City of Pripyat, Ukraine

Like Chernobyl, the city of Pripyat was abandoned right after the meltdown. The city was home to many employees at the power plant, as well as their families. These people were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation, but over the years, it is unclear how many people died as a result of their exposure.

Also, like Chernobyl, around 500 people still live in the area, in spite of official policies prohibiting anyone remaining in the area. They prefer for personal reasons not to abandon their homes and lifestyles, in spite of the danger, and sometimes lack of privacy as tourists and visitors walk through the areas.

Abandoned city (Google Maps)
Abandoned city

Abandoned Ferris Wheel, Pripyat

One of the most haunting symbols of the disaster is an abandoned Ferris wheel, which was days away from opening at the local amusement park before the meltdown. Now, nearly 40 years later, it remains untouched but slowly decaying, having never carried the children and happy families of Pripyat.

This is one of so many tragically abandoned sites, from hospitals to schools to homes to hotels. The city, along with dozens and dozens of villages, were forced to evacuate in the days after the meltdown.

Pripyat Ferris Wheel - Near Chernobyl (StreetView)
Pripyat Ferris Wheel - Near Chernobyl

Monument to the Chernobyl Liquidators, Chernobyl

Surprisingly, the only people who died immediately after the explosion were workers inside the reactor, and the firefighters who responded to the disaster. These men reported to the reactors, which was on fire, without appropriate clothes to protect them from radiation. Those with the greatest exposure, from where they fought the fires, or for how long, died within days. Others died within three months.

On the tenth anniversary, a memorial to these heroes was unveiled, depicting the firefighters running toward the blaze. The inscription says “To those who saved the world” demonstrating the importance and appreciation of the sacrifices they made.

Chernobyl - Firefighters monument (StreetView)
Chernobyl - Firefighters monument

Third Angel Statue or Trumpeting Angel Monument, Chernobyl

One of the most moving memorials to the tragedy is the Wormwood Memorial, which includes the metal statue of the Third Angel. In the book of Revelation, a verse says in the last days, a star named Wormwood falls from the sky and makes the water bitter, which many felt represented the radioactive waste falling from the sky. Because “Chernobyl” means wormwood or mugwort in Ukrainian, many felt that the prophesy had been fulfilled in the disaster.

The memorial also includes signs of the names of the nearly 200 villages that have been abandoned. All told, more than 120,000 people were evacuated.

Trumpeting Angel of Chernobyl (StreetView)
Trumpeting Angel of Chernobyl

There are so many monuments, intentional and natural, that remind us of the tragedy of that man-made disaster, and the lives that were impacted that day. The entire region stands as a stark reminder of the power we wield, and the great responsibility we have to use that power carefully. We should never forget.