March’s Deep Dive into History: Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein is one of the world’s most famous, and most influential, scientists. He was born on March 14, 1879, and within his lifetime has earned a worldwide reputation as a scientist. He is generally considered the greatest scientist of all time for his discoveries in physics, which have changed the world as we know it. On the anniversary of his birth, let’s take a look back on the life of one of the world’s best, and most famous, scientists.

Birthplace in Ulm, Germany

Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany. While he only lived here a year, the city is proud of their native son, and have erected a monument in his honor. The minimalist structure is on the site where Einstein’s home once stood. This memorial is just one of many monuments to the scientist erected by the city of his birth.

'Albert Einstein Memorial' by Max Bill

Boyhood Home in Munich, Germany

When Einstein was a baby the family moved to Munich. Here, he went to school and began to study science. He was was a late bloomer, only talking in complete sentences at age five. However, his intellectual capacity was soon clear; by age 12 he had surpassed the understanding of his math tutor, teaching himself algebra and geometry. In addition to math and science, he also thoroughly enjoyed philosophy and music.

Albert Einstein's Boyhood Home

House and Museum in Bern, Switzerland

After living in Italy and going to school in Switzerland, Einstein eventually settled down in Bern, Switzerland. He was married and had two children, and took a job reviewing patents. He only lived in this home for two years, but they were some of the most productive and formative for his career. Here, he completed his PhD and began publishing works that drew international attention.

He and his family lived in a second floor apartment. The living quarters have been restored to reflect the life of the scientist and his family. Guests can tour the site to learn more about him and the scientific progress he made while living here.

Einstein House & Museum

Awarded a Nobel Prize

As Einstein earned credibility for his work, he moved around Europe to teach and research at increasingly prestigious institutions. By 1921, he had been so productive in the research of theoretical physics, especially in the study of light, that he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics that year.

Each year, a Nobel Prize is awarded in categories that highlight scientific and cultural progress. The recipients are given their medal, and a significant cash award, at a ceremony at the Stockholm City Hall. However, Einstein was not able to receive his award in person.

Stockholm City Hall

Home in Princeton, New Jersey

After the Nazis rose to power in Germany and persecuted the Jews in all facets of their lives, scientists like Einstein were forced to flee the country. Einstein renounced his German citizenship and eventually found a new professional home in at Princeton University. He even became a US citizen.

Albert Einstein House

Princeton University

Einstein worked and taught at the university, and advocated for anti-war, anti-racism, and pro civil-rights causes. He made a significant impact on the outcome of World War II when he personally met with US President Roosevelt and encouraged him to pursue the development of an atomic bomb to counter the work the Nazis were pursuing.

Albert Einstein died in Princeton, New Jersey when he was 76 years old, of natural causes. His ashes were scattered around the Institute for Advanced Study, which had been his professional home for more than a decade.

Princeton University

He left a larger than life impact around the world. People around the world feel connected to the quirky, brilliant scientist, and they have undertaken measures to honor and remember his contributions to the world.

Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Outside the National Academy of Scientists in Washington, D.C. is a 12-foot high statue of Einstein sitting with manuscript papers in his hand. The statue is in the center of a 28-foot wide dais embedded with nearly 3,000 marks indicating astronomical features including the sun, the moon, planets, and galaxies.

It was unveiled on the one hundred year anniversary of his birth. Duplicates exist in Israel at the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia.

'Albert Einstein Memorial' by Robert Berks

Seated Statue in Granada, Spain

In the Spanish city of Granada is the life-size statue of Einstein sitting on a bench at the entrance to the Park of the Sciences, which is full of interesting science exhibits for people to explore and learn about the world around them. The statue is meant to be inviting, and it’s a fun place to take a picture with the man who revealed so much about our world, and the entire universe, through hard work, and of course genius.

Albert Einstein Sculpture

These are just a few of the memorials and monuments erected in honor of one of the world’s most brilliant minds. They serve as inspiration to us all to live life to its fullest, reach our potential, and especially encourage us to stop and look at the stars to think about the universe beyond our planet.

March 7, 2021February 15, 2021

Celebrating Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month. In honor of all the amazing women who have come before us, let’s take a look at a few interesting and influential women from history.

Isabella of Castile

School children all around the world know about Ferdinand and Isabella helping Christopher Columbus discover America. But most don’t realize that it was Isabella who pushed to fund Columbus. She was an independent woman way ahead of her time.

Isabella of Castile was born in 1451, and from an early age, demonstrated a keen political instinct. She chose her own husband, Ferdinand, and ruled her lands of Castile independently. She and her husband pushed the last of the Moors out of Spain, started the Spanish Inquisition, and funded Columbus’s discovery of America. She and Ferdinand were buried in royal fashion at the Royal Chapel of Granada.

Isabella is a great example of a strong, independent woman, who never backed down in the face of adversity and challenging social norms.

Granada Cathedral

Pocahontas

Pocahontas was a Native American born into the Powatan tribe around 1596 in what is now Virginia. As the daughter of the tribe’s leader, she had significant interaction with English explorers who settled Jamestown.

Her role in history is tied up in legend and lore, but she did marry an Englishman and establish several years of peace in the area. She eventually went to England to represent the “noble savage” to royalty and others. There, she passed away at age 21 while preparing to return to her homeland.

She was buried in Gravesend, but the exact location of her remains is not known. Nonetheless, a statue in her honor remains in the church, one of many memorials and honors for the young woman who bridged two cultures and gives pride to many indigenous girls around the world.

Burial place of Pocahontas, St. George's Church

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Elizabeth Cady Stanton is revered as one of the strongest advocates of women’s rights in the United States. She, along with Susan B. Anthony, fought for years for women to be given the right to vote, as well for as the abolition of slavery and equality in general.

She was born in Johnstown, New York in a prominent family, and given a well-rounded education. From an early age, she was involved in abolitionist movements. Her husband, Henry Brewster Stanton, was an abolitionist, and at their wedding she did not pledge to “obey” her husband.

Her family lived in Seneca Falls, which is where the first American women’s rights convention was held. Now, both Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Seneca Falls hold special places in the history of women’s rights. Elizabeth Cady Stanton reminds us that it’s important to fight for what you think is right, and to never give up.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton House

Marie Curie

Marie Curie was a scientist who gave her life in the pursuit of knowledge, and has left a legacy for women who wish to pursue a career in science. She was born in Warsaw, Poland, and while she moved to France to further her studies and research, she never forgot her Polish heritage.

Marie Curie's birthplace

When she gained momentum in her research into radioactivity, the University of Paris granted Marie Curie a laboratory where she and her husband could conduct their joint research. In her honor, the University created an Institute and has created several memorials to the great scientist.

She died an early death at 66 of causes directly related to the exposure she received while conducting her research. In fact, as her illness progressed, she even studied herself to document the effects of radiation on humans. She is a great example of a woman pursuing her dreams, not settling for a stereotype, and giving the world increased knowledge and understanding.

Musée Curie

Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr was a woman who makes us think we can have it all. She was a gorgeous film actress, producer, and inventor who helped develop a system for torpedo guidance and increased airplane aerodynamics. In fact, her research into the frequency-hopping technology is now used in Bluetooth technology.

Lamarr was born in Hungary, fled an abusive marriage to France and eventually ended up in the United States, where she picked up on her acting career and starred in several popular films.

She was not formally trained as a scientist or inventor, but she constantly thought of inventions and ways to innovate. She’s an example that, no matter where you start from and what people expect from you, you can go your own way and do your own thing.

Hedy Lamarr's Last Home & Death Site

These are just a few awesome women that we can look to as role models, and remember that anyone can do great things, no matter where you’re born, what people expect of you, and what barriers you have to overcome.

February 4, 2021

Super Bowl LV

The 55th showdown of the best teams in professional football is this Sunday, February 7. For a record-setting tenth time, Tom Brady will make an appearance as starting quarterback, this time for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On the other side of the field will be defending Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs led by rising star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Let’s take a look at some of the players and some of the places tied into Sunday’s showdown.

Tom Brady’s New Home in Clearwater, Florida

At the end of last season, Tom Brady decided to leave New England after 20 amazing years. Brady seemed like he wanted to prove he could carry a team on his own, and after only one year, he’s proven he certainly can.

When you’re as wealthy and as famous as Tom and his wife Gisele Bundchen, not just any old house will do. The couple have been living in Florida for months, but only closed on a home in October 2020.

The oceanfront home has 8,400 square feet, and includes five bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, plus 3.5 more bathrooms, a sleek kitchen, epic home gym, movie theater, chandeliers that drip from the ceiling, and a personal boat launch.

Compared to other properties he’s owned, the $7.5 million price tag is pocket change. It’s not as big as their Massachusetts home, but hopefully it’s big enough to meet their needs, and more.

Tom Brady & Gisele Bundchen's House

Tom Brady’s Rental Home in Tampa, Florida

While the Brady family was looking for a home to buy, they rented a gorgeous 22,000 square foot mansion from fellow athlete superstar Derek Jeter. Brady was paying more than $40,000 per month to live in the waterfront property, but Jeter has since put it on the market for an astounding $29 million.

The house has eight bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a pool and spa, movie theater, game room, and more. It must have been a great place to rent, and whoever buys it will have every amenity they could imagine right at their fingertips.

Derek Jeter's House

Tom Brady’s Mansion in Brookline, Massachusetts

Tom and Gisele lived in a massive, 12,000 square foot mansion outside Boston until they moved to Florida. The house was originally listed for about $39 million, but was sold for around $33 million, according to those who have information on the sale.

The house has five bedrooms, a wine room, gym and yoga studio, and a separate guest house.

Tom Brady & Gisele Bundchen's House (former)

Antonio Brown’s Home in Hollywood, Florida

Suiting up alongside Tom Brady will be Antonio Brown, a wide receiver who’s played around the league and is playing for Tampa Bay on a one year contract. He missed the conference final, but he’s expected to play in the Super Bowl.

In 2016, Brown bought a $6.6 million home in Hollywood, Florida, near his hometown of Miami. The 12-bedroom home has one feature you won’t find in most homes: a built-in synagogue, which Brown likes because it brings a good spirit to the home.

The house also has Italian marble floors, imported light fixtures, a top-of-the-line outdoor kitchen, door handles made from precious metals, and a home theater.

Antonio Brown's House

Patrick Mahomes’ Home in Kansas City, Missouri

Leading the Kansas City Chiefs will be Patrick Mahomes, a breakout star who deserves every word of praise given in his short career. The 25-year old signed with the Chiefs in 2017, and became the starting quarterback in 21018, and the very next year they were Super Bowl Champions.

Mahomes re-signed with the Chiefs with a 10-year contract guaranteeing $477 million, with additional performance bonuses! In spite of his millions, he and his fiance bought a relatively modest home in a nice Kansas City neighborhood for $1.9 million. The 3,800 square foot home has three bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen, and gorgeous open, mid-century floorplan. It’s got enough space to hold his 180 shoes–barely!

Patrick Mahome's House

Tyreek Hill’s Home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri

A critical part of the Chiefs’ success is wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who has been playing for the team since 2016. He’s so fast his teammates call him “Cheetah” and in 2019 he signed a contract extension for three years and $54 million!

While some of his life off the field has been challenging, he also works as an assistant coach for a local high school team in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. He has a four bedroom, four bathroom home complete with pool in the Kansas City suburb, and is adding onto the house as his family grows.

Tyreek Hill's house (former)

Raymond James Stadium

On February 9, 2021, the Super Bowl will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This is the third Super Bowl that will be held at the stadium. It’s the first time that a team playing in the Super Bowl will be playing in their home stadium as the home team.

The stadium can hold up to 75,000 people, but because of Covid-19, the audience will be limited to 22,000. It was built in 1998, costing $169 million.

This year, the entertainment will be awesome. Recently-acclaimed poet Amanda Gorman will read an original poem, H.E.R. will sing “America the Beautiful” and Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan will do a duo for the “Star-Spangled Banner”.

Raymond James Stadium

The Weeknd’s Home in Hidden Hills, California

The versatile Canadian singer The Weeknd will perform the halftime show. He is so pumped to make sure the show is memorable that he’s invested $7 million of his own money in the project.

When he’s not rocking out at the Super Bowl, The Weeknd has an amazing pad in Hidden Hills, north of Los Angeles. He earned $92 million in 2017, and spent $18.2 million of that on a massive pad.

The 13,500 square foot home has an eye-popping orange basketball court, vivid diamond patterned driveway, large main house, standalone guest house, and a barn with eight stalls. It also has some gorgeous outdoor landscaping and covered entertaining areas fit for the biggest star.

Madonna's House (Formerly The Weekend's)

No matter which team wins the game, it’s clear that the entire country will come out on top for being able to enjoy the game and forget the challenges of the last year, at least for a few hours.

January 27, 2021January 5, 2021

January’s Deep Dive: Thomas Edison and the Light Bulb

On January 27, 1880, American inventor Thomas Edison filed a patent for an “electric lamp” that we now recognize as a light bulb.

It is hard to overstate the importance of this invention, as it brought light into the dark, allowing people to work after sunset, and most importantly, making the night safer by illuminating the world both outdoors and indoors, and by reducing the risk of fires from candles and other flames.

His invention has been one of the most important technological advances in the modern age. On this historic day, let’s take a look at the man behind the invention.

Birthplace, Milan, Ohio

Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio. He spent his first seven years here before his family moved to Michigan. His boyhood home was turned into a museum by his family members, and remains a well-kept legacy to the famed inventor.

The house has been restored to reflect the 19th-century time in which Edison lived in the home.

Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum

Thomas Edison Depot Museum in Port Huron, Michigan

Edison spent his adolescence in Port Huron, Michigan. While he only attended a formal school for a few months, he was intensely curious. He worked and spent much of his time at the local train depot. He sold newspapers and candy until, after saving a boy from an oncoming train, he was trained and employed as a telegraph operator.

He also tinkered on the trains and learned as much as he could about how things worked whenever he could.

The depot is now a museum that focused on Edison’s early years and inventive curiosity. It has many interactive displays and even a room dedicated to experimentation for younger visitors.

Edison Depot Museum

Statue in Port Huron, Michigan

Residents of Port Huron love their most famous resident. Outside the museum, they have erected a statue to the famed inventor depicting him as a young boy selling newspapers to people traveling through the depot.

Thomas Edison statue

The Edison Institute and Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan

Henry Ford, the automobile manufacturer, created a massive living museum complex near where he lived and worked in Dearborn, Michigan. He moved entire historical buildings and recreated important historical settings from American history. One of his biggest exhibits is the Edison Institute, which includes Edison’s laboratory moved from Menlo Park, New Jersey. It was here that Edison created what became the incandescent light bulb.

This museum, known as The Henry Ford, or Greenfield Village, is an amazing trove of the educational, historical, and fascinating. Interestingly, the museum includes a jar which is alleged to contain Edison’s last breath.

Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village

Smith’s Creek Depot, at Greenfield Village

Greenfield Village includes many places from Edison’s life, including the Smith’s Creek Depot, where Edison spent much of his time as a young man earning a living selling newspapers, candy, and other items to travelers.

Ford had the depot moved to Greenfield Village to both represent 19th century travel and to contribute to the life story of Thomas Edison.

Smiths Creek Depot

Home in West Orange, New Jersey

While Edison’s first major laboratory was in Menlo Park, Edison eventually moved to West Orange, where he lived with his second wife. The house he purchased for his new wife was known as Glenmont, and was where the couple lived for the rest of their lives.

Thomas Edison's House (former)

National Historical Site, West Orange, New Jersey

Edison’s West Orange laboratory and home is now a National Historic Site and Museum. It is a fascinating place to visit, where you can learn about the personal life of one of the world’s best inventors, and experience much of the invention process as he would have. Visitors can learn in very hands-on ways about the science of sound, light, and other things that fascinated Edison.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Winter Home in Fort Meyers, Florida

With his second wife, Mina, Edison bought a large property in Fort Meyers, Florida. The couple built a winter retreat they called “Seminole Lodge” which was built in Italianate and Queen Anne styles. The structure was pre-cut in New England and shipped down to Florida at great expense. The couple spent many winters here, and Edison continued to invent and make discoveries.

Thomas Edison's House

Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Thomas Edison was a great inventor. Beyond the light bulb, he and a colleague invented a motion picture camera. His studio actually was involved in producing more than a thousand films. These short films were more educational or informative, not motion picture movies like we are familiar with today. Nonetheless, Hollywood owes its very existence to Edison and his colleagues. He was even given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Thomas Edison's Hollywood star

Any day you turn on the lights is a great day to think of Thomas Edison and his wonderful inventions. But today, take a moment to reflect on how much the simple light bulb makes your life better, thanks to Thomas Edison.

January 20, 2021January 20, 2021

Inauguration Day 2021: One for the History Books

It feels like it was a lifetime ago that voters went to the polls on November 3 to vote for president, but today, Joe Biden is going to be sworn into office as the 46th President of the United States, and Kamala Harris will be sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the United States.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and recent security threats, the pomp associated with the inauguration has been scaled back significantly. This year, there will be a small inauguration outside the Capitol, broadcast across the country, but there will be no luncheon, no parade, and no in-person balls or parties. Instead, much of it will be virtual, and aired on multiple television channels across the country and around the world.

As you watch the proceedings on television, here are some background details you might find interesting.

Past Inaugurations

Typically, the sitting president and vice president meet with the incoming president and vice president at the White House the morning of the inauguration, and travel to the Capitol Building together.

The swearing in on the steps of the Capitol is often watched by half a million people who gather along the Capitol and the Mall, all the way to the Lincoln Memorial.

Later in the day, the new president reviews the troops, participates in a parade along the route to the White House, and officially enters the residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to serve as president for the next four years.

Inaugural balls, parties, and other events go on all around Washington, DC, and parties are held across the United States as well.

2021 Inaugural Events

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

The evening before the swearing in, there will be a memorial to the people who have died from Covid-19. This event will be held at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, a fitting place to ponder those who have died, and what the country has suffered due to the virus.

Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool, Washington Monument

U.S. Capitol

The 20th Amendment to the Constitution states that each presidential term shall begin at noon on January 20. The oath can be administered anywhere, but the ceremony is traditionally held at the U.S. Capitol. The inauguration involves all three branches of government. President Biden will be sworn in by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts, with many members of Congress present to witness the peaceful transfer of power.

Traditionally, after the inauguration, the presidential parties, and members of the House and Senate, gather for a luncheon inside the Capitol. Due to social distancing issues, this will be skipped, with plans to celebrate in person during the Independence Day events on July 4.

US Capitol Building

West Front of the Capitol

Since Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in 1981, presidents have held their inauguration on the West Front of the Capitol. This side has a beautiful view of the city and extends down to the Mall. Hundreds of thousands of people gather and witness the event, either in person or by watching large monitors set up for the occasion.

Joe Biden will continue with the tradition of being sworn into office on the West Front of the Capitol at noon, January 20, 2021. Although it will not be open to the general public, it will be broadcast on national television.

United States Capitol

East Front of the Capitol

Up until Ronald Reagan’s inauguration, presidents chose to be sworn in on the East Front of the Capitol. This side is attractive and faces the Supreme Court, but doesn’t allow for the large public gathering.

This year, President Biden and Vice President Harris will review the troops, which includes a procession with members from every branch of military. This display will take place on the East Front shortly after the swearing in.

US Capitol

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

They will then travel to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. They, along with Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama, along with their spouses, will lay a wreath at the Tomb.

Tomb of the Unknowns

The White House

While the president and his wife would typically participate in a fun parade with participants from across the country, that has been called off due to social distancing restrictions. There will be a virtual parade that highlights places and people from across the United States. At the end, President Biden and his wife Jill will officially enter the White House, making it their official residence for the next four years.

The White House

Naval Observatory

Vice President Kamala Harris will take up residence in the official vice president’s house located about three miles away from the White House. The vice president long did not have an official residence, unlike the president at the White House.

However, in 1974, a large existing residence at the Naval Observatory was established as the official residence for the vice president. Over the years, substantial renovations and upgrades have been made, including making it handicap-accessible, adding a pool, putting green, and exercise room.

Number One Observatory Circle (Vice President's House)

Mar-A-Lago

After the oath of office is administered by the Chief Justice, Donald Trump will become a private citizen again. Unlike nearly every other outgoing president, President Trump has declined the invitation to attend the inauguration. Whenever he leaves the White House, it has been expected that he will travel to Mar-A-Lago, his Florida residence.

The beachside resort has a private residence where the president and his family can stay. The 62,000 square foot mansion sits on 20 acres of prime real estate, which is worth more than $160 million.

Donald Trump's house (Mar-A-Lago)

Unlike the president, Vice President Pence will attend the inauguration. After, it’s not clear where Mike Pence will go; he was a congressman from Indiana before becoming that state’s governor. His most recent residence before living at the Naval Observatory was the governor’s mansion.

While things will not be as they usually are, the most important thing will be that the United States goes through yet another peaceful transition of power, maintaining her 240 year history of being a peaceful democracy that will continue for another 240 years, so help us God.

January 8, 2021January 5, 2021

Remembering the King: Happy Birthday, Elvis

The King was born January 8, 1935, and in his short life, he changed the face of music, and the world. Elvis Presley brought rock and roll, with its African American influence, to the broader public, and the world has rewarded him with the reputation as the King.

In honor of his legacy, let’s take a look at Elvis’s life.

Birthplace, Tupelo, MS

Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and raised in a two-bedroom home with his parents. They moved after a few years because they struggled to make payments on the home. The small shotgun home has since been turned into a museum about the singer’s early life and rise to fame.

Elvis Presley's Birthplace

Sun Records, Memphis, TN

When Elvis was 13, his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. It was there that the budding musician met Sam Phillips, who ran Sun Music. Elvis went to the studio as a teen in the hopes that he might be discovered, and the rest is history.

In addition to Elvis, Sam Phillips worked with Jerry Lee Lewis, Ike Turner, and Johnny Cash. Phillips loved the style of music coming from the region, especially the African American influence, and worked to make it mainstream. He succeeded wildly, and changed the sound of music forever.

Sun Studio

First Home in Memphis, TN

After his initial success, Elvis bought a home for his parents in his adopted hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. However, he was so successful and so famous that the home did not offer enough privacy for the new celebrity. Fans, reporters, and the like hounded him and his neighbors.

Elvis felt pressured to move his family to a bigger, more secluded home. His parents eventually settled on Graceland, and the rest is history.

Elvis Presley's First Memphis Home

Temporary Home in Killeen, TX

By his early 20s, Elvis was the most famous and popular musician in the United States. But still, he was drafted to fight in the Korean War, and he reported for a two-year tour of duty. He was stationed for a time at Fort Hood in Texas. During this time, he lived in a ranch-style home in Killeen, Texas.

Elvis Presley's Rental House (Former)

Graceland, Memphis, TN

Quickly rising to international fame, a regular home was not sufficient for Elvis and his parents, so they picked out Graceland, located just outside Memphis. They lived there until Gladys, Elvis’ mother, died in 1958.

Eventually, Elvis lived there on his own, and then with his wife, Priscilla. Even after their divorce, he continued to live there. In fact, it was there that he passed away, after suffering a heart attack.

The estate has since been turned into a museum and National Historic Site. It is the second most visited home in the United States, behind only the White House.

Graceland - Elvis Presley's Estate

Home in Beverly Hills, CA

While Graceland is Elvis’ most famous residence, it was not his only home. He also had a home in Beverly Hills, CA. This seven bedroom Tudor-style home was bought by Elvis in 1970, and Priscilla continued to live there after their divorce until she sold it in 1975. It sold in late 2020 for about $29 million.

Elvis Presley's House (Former)

Lisa Marie Presley’s Home, United Kingdom

After years in the spotlight, Elvis’s only child, Lisa Marie, moved far away from the media, all the way to England. The former singer, actress, and AIDS activist felt she was “living in a fish bowl” in Los Angeles, so she traded it all in for a 50-acre sheep farm in Rotherfield. She stayed here for about eight years before moving back to California.

The 15th century estate has 11 bedrooms, nine bedrooms, and an indoor swimming pool, spa, gym, and more. The home is a unique blend of 15th century design and modern amenities, but its unique design contributed to the estate staying on the market for several years before she found a buyer.

Lisa Marie Presley's House

Priscilla Presley’s Home, Los Angeles

Priscilla Presley stayed in California after she and Elvis divorced. She starred in several films, the hit television show “Dallas”, and has devoted much of her time to charity.

She has lived for 45 years in the same Beverly Hills home with n more than an acre of land. The “private enclave” has lush gardens, seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a tennis court, and of course, a luxurious pool.

The home was put on the market in September 2020 for almost $16 million. It sold in early December for $13 million.

Priscilla Presley's House (former)

Although he only lived to age 42, the King has left a legacy that is so strong that he is still one of the most famous celebrities in the world. Gone but not forgotten, his reign continues.

January 1, 2021January 2, 2021

2020: So Long, and Farewell

Well, 2020 was a year to remember, to say the least. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the past, so we can put it behind us and really look forward to the future.

Australian Wildfires

The world should have known 2020 would be intense on January 1. Already on that date, Australia was in the middle of one of the worst fire seasons in the country’s history. No region was spared, with 80 percent of the population impacted, more than 500 million animals killed, and 34 people killed.

Fires even threatened urban centers such as Sydney and the capital, Canberra. The smoke was so bad in the capital city that residents were forced indoors and could not enjoy the summer weather at places like the famous Commonwealth Park.

Commonwealth Park

Impeachment of President Donald Trump

For much of 2019, the US news focused on the pending impeachment of President Trump. In December, the US House of Representatives voted to approve articles of impeachment against the President.

In January 2020, the trial began in the Senate. However, the President was acquitted of all charges, on a nearly party-line vote. Nonetheless, the indictment by the House will serve as a black mark on President Trump’s legacy, and will be one of the biggest stories of 2020.

US Capitol Building

Kobe Bryant

On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant boarded a helicopter with his oldest daughter on their way to a basketball camp. Not long after takeoff, the helicopter crashed, killing all nine passengers on board. Bryant’s death shook the nation, as he was only 41, and was still very involved in basketball, charities, and most importantly, being a father to four girls.

Kobe and his family lived in the exclusive Pelican Crest community in Newport Coast. The custom-built house with views of the coast has nearly 16,000 square feet of living space spread out over four floors.

After his death, fans gathered outside the community’s gates and left flowers and other items in a makeshift memorial.

Kobe Bryant's House

Harvey Weinstein

After years of speculation and rumor, Harvey Weinstein was finally charged with committing sex crimes against women in 2018. The trial commenced in January 2020, and on February 24, he was convicted, and later sentenced to 23 years in prison.

For the next 23 years, Harvey Weinstein will call the Wende Correctional Facility in upstate New York his home.

Wende Correctional Facility

Weinstein sold his house in the Hamptons in 2018 for $10 million, less than what he paid for it six years earlier. This is just one of many properties he sold following his arrest.

Harvey Weinstein's House (Former)

Covid-19 Pandemic

The thing on everyone’s mind for most of the year has been the spread of Covid-19 throughout the world, causing a global pandemic.

While no one knows where the virus initially started, some of the earliest reported cases spread at or near a wet, or seafood, market in the Chinese city of Wuhan. It was first diagnosed in late winter 2019. Thousands quickly fell sick and many died, indicating the virus was extremely contagious, causing global concern.

Huanan Seafood Market

The virus came to the United States in early 2020, and hit metropolitan centers very hard. New York City was the epicenter of the initial outbreak. The city was so overwhelmed that they even prepared a makeshift hospital at the Javits Convention Center. Fortunately, it was only used for a short time before the first wave subsided in the area.

'Jacob K. Javits Convention Center' by James Freed

Death of George Floyd

On May 25, George Floyd was killed while in police custody outside a convenience store in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He had allegedly passed a counterfeit bill.

Site where George Floyd was murdered

The frustration with Floyd’s murder and continued police brutality and racial discrimination boiled over into massive protests, riots, and demonstrations across the country. Government leaders embraced the protests in many places, including Washington, D.C., where the city renamed the plaza outside the White House as Black Lives Matter Plaza.

"Black Lives Matter - Defund the police" on 16th. Street NW

Beiruit Explosion

In the late afternoon of August 4, a large explosion occurred in downtown Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. The blast was caused by improperly stored ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the city’s port for several years.

The blast was so strong it was felt in neighboring countries, killed at least 204 people, and wounded more than 6,500. It caused more than $15 billion in damage, and both the cleanup and investigations are still ongoing.

Building Explosion, Beirut, Lebanon (4 AUG 2020)

Kamala Harris

On August 11, Kamala Harris made history. Joe Biden selected her as his running mate, making her the first African American, first Asian American, and third woman to be a part of a major party presidential ticket. She again made history on November 3, when she and Joe Biden were elected to lead the US for the next four years.

A current Senator for California, she maintains a home in the tony LA neighborhood of Brentwood, as her husband is a famous Hollywood attorney.

Kamala Harris' House

West Coast Wildfires

It wasn’t enough that much of Australia was on fire earlier this year; the western US also experienced one of the worst fire seasons on record as well. More than 37 people were killed in fires that spread across California, Oregon, and Washington states.

Fires raged across the west for most of the summer and much of the fall. Fires destroyed thousands of homes, including in Shaver Lake, California, where movies such as Captain America had been filmed.

Shaver Lake ("Captain Marvel")

Alex Trebeck

American game show host Alex Trebek announced in 2018 that he had pancreatic cancer, and passed away on November 8, 2020 from the disease. The 80 year old had become a beloved American cultural icon as the host of Jeopardy! He hosted the show for 37 years.

Trebek and his wife had a 10,000 square foot mansion in Los Angeles, but his wealth and fame didn’t stop him from doing everyday things like taking out the trash, which he was seen doing on a regular basis, even when he was fighting cancer.

Trebek set an example for all to follow. In a pre-recorded show that aired after his death, Trebek gave words of encouragement for the world, saying “There are more and more people extending helpful hands to do a kindness to their neighbors, and that’s a good thing.. Keep the faith. We’re going to get through all this and we are going to be a better society because of it.”

Alex Trebek's House

Covid-19 Vaccines are Rolled Out

In what might be a sign that 2021 will be better than 2020, multiple vaccines for the Covid-19 virus were approved for use in the US and other countries in December.

On December 10th, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave “emergency use authorization” to Pfizer’s vaccine, and on December 18th, they gave the same authorization to Moderna’s vaccine. These two vaccines will help people all over the world by giving them immunity to Covid-19.

The work at the FDA in 2020 has been a bright spot in what has otherwise been a difficult year for many.

Food and Drug Administration

Here’s to hoping the vaccines will help and that Alex Trebek was right and that 2021 will be more rewarding, and less newsworthy, than 2020. Happy New Year!

December 17, 2020November 17, 2020

December’s Deep Dive into History: The Wright Brothers’ First Flight

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright left the earth for the first successful flight of what we now know as an airplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

In the 122 years since they mastered flight, the world has changed dramatically. Travel has gone from long, arduous, and expensive to fast, easy and relatively cheap. The world feels smaller now that we can traverse the globe on a commercial plane in a day or less. Let’s look back at these remarkable brothers and their historic invention.

Family Home in Dayton, Ohio

Orville and Wilbur Wright were raised in the Midwest, moving around several times. Eventually, the family settled in Dayton, Ohio when the boys were teenagers. Neither brother ever married, and continued to live at the family home until at least 1912, when Wilbur passed away.

In 1937, Henry Ford purchased the entire home and had it moved to Dearborn, Michigan. It became part of a large living museum that includes homes of important Americans, buildings where historic events took place, as well as vehicles that played crucial roles in history, including the bus where Rosa Parks sat and the car where President Kennedy was assassinated.

Orville and Wilbur Wright Family Home

Bicycle Shop in Dayton, Ohio

When running a bicycle shop in the 1890s, they became enamored with the idea of creating a flying machine. Building on the designs of other aviation pioneers, the Wright brothers worked for years in the bicycle shop designing airplanes and conducting research about other aspects of aviation.

While the shop they worked out of when they flew their first successful airplane was moved to Michigan by Henry Ford, this building, where they worked in the 1890s, still stands in Dayton, and is a National Historic Site.

Wright Brothers Bicycle Shop

National Memorial at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

While living and working Dayton, the brothers selected a location just outside the small town of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, for their flight testing. The area is now known as Kill Devil Hills, but people still commonly refer to the event occurring at Kitty Hawk.

The brothers selected the location because it had hills, a good breeze, and soft sand that would absorb the impact when they crash landed. At the site of the first flight is a 90-foot granite monument shaped to evoke feelings of reaching into the sky and leave the viewer with an impression of the genius and success of the brothers.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Visitor Center at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

At the bottom of the hill is a museum dedicated to the brothers and flight. It highlights the efforts made by the Wright brothers on their way to successfully flying their first airplane, as well as a life-size replica of the first flyer, called the Wright Flyer.

Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center

Wright Flyer, Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.

The actual aircraft the brothers flew a total of four times that December day is now on display in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The aircraft was initially displayed elsewhere, but in 1948, the Smithsonian first displayed the aircraft. It has been on display for the public since.

Wright Flyer I

Monument to Century of Flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

To commemorate the centennial, the city of Kitty Hawk and several other organizations unveiled a monument to the first 100 years of flight. It is a beautiful outdoor memorial with 14 stainless steel wing-shaped pylons emerging from the ground, as well as black granite panels to outline important developments in flight.

Monument to a Century of Flight

Wright Brothers Monument in Dayton, Ohio

While the first airplane was flown in North Carolina, the brothers did their research, construction, and experiments in their hometown of Dayton, Ohio. Therefore, Dayton is as important to the development of flight as Kitty Hawk.

There is a beautiful outdoor memorial to the brothers and aviation at the site where the brothers conducted smaller test flights and did other hands-on research.

Wright Brothers Monument

These are just a few of the important places and memorials in the development of flight. Hopefully the next time you see or hear an airplane in the sky, you’ll think about the wonder of flight, and the hard work that went into making air travel possible.

December 8, 2020November 17, 2020

Celebrating Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah! Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is possibly the most famous Jewish holiday, at least in the US, due in part to it coming each year around the same time as Christians celebrate Christmas, and in part because it has a festive, gift-giving theme.

Hanukkah, also spelled Hanukah or Chanukkah, takes place for eight nights and days during late November or early December. The dates vary, as the calendar for Jewish holy days is set by the Hebrew calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. This year, it’s celebrated from December 10 to December 18.

Western Wall

Jewish tradition states that, after the Maccabbees purged invaders from the Second Temple and Jerusalem, they were ordered to purify the temple and light the lamps in the temple at night. They only had enough oil for one night, but through a miracle, the oil lasted the eight days needed for new holy oil to be made.

All that remains of the Second Temple where this miracle took place is the famed Western Wall. It was sacked in 70 CE by the Romans. Today, it holds religious significance for both Jews and Muslims alike, and they have built religious traditions around the wall, which can be visited in Jerusalem.

Western Wall

Al-Asqa Mosque

Jerusalem, and the area of the Second Temple in particular, hold religious significance in Islam as well. The followers who conquered Jerusalem built the Al-Asqa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam, on top of the Temple Mount, the hill where the Second Temple once stood.

Al-Aqsa Mosque

Dome of the Rock

Also located on the Temple Mount is the Dome of the Rock. The Dome protects a rock which is believed by Islamic, Jewish, and Christian faiths to be where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son Isaac, where God created the world, and a particularly holy place on earth. Islamic tradition holds that this is where Muhammad began his night journey to heaven.

Dome of the Rock / Temple Mount

Knesset Menorah

The menorah is the most well-known symbol of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Because the oil burned for eight days, the memorial candelabrum has eight equal branches and a ninth that is larger or offset, which is used to light the other candles.

Outside the Knesset, Israel’s legislative body, is a large bronze menorah. It is about 15 feet tall, weighs four tons, and has several reliefs on it that depict Jewish history.

Knesset Menorah by Benno Elkan

While Hanukkah is celebrated around the world in people’s homes, some places are well known for their community celebrations of the Festival of Lights.

Jerusalem, Israel

There is no better place to celebrate Hanukkah than in the place where it all started: Jerusalem. There are so many celebrations throughout the capital city that there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The Western Wall Museum and other locations in Old Jerusalem and the Jewish Quarter celebrate Hanukkah with special sincerity, as they are on the sites that make the holiday holy.

The Old City is walled in, and accessible through several gates, including the Lion’s Gate. As you walk through this gate, you can imagine how the Jews of the past felt celebrating Hanukkah and other events in the city, and feel connected to them.

Lions' Gate

New York City, New York

New York City is home to one of the world’s largest and most active Jewish communities, so it’s fitting that the city has several large menorah-lightning events. One Jewish organization has worked to have a Guinness World Record for the largest menorah.

Assembled and lit each year at Grand Army Plaza, opposite the famed Plaza Hotel, the menorah is a great symbol of light and the hope for peace the world over.

Grand Army Plaza

Paris, France

There is nothing better than celebrating the Festival of Lights in the City of Lights. There are many celebrations throughout the city, but a fun one is on the Champs de Mars, at the Eiffel Tower. The ceremonial lighting of a 30-foot menorah is followed by an outdoor concert. It’s December, so bring a jacket!

Eiffel Tower

Charleston, South Carolina

For the past 15 years or so, the city of Charleston has held a “Chanukah in the Square” to kick off the holiday, with the lighting of a menorah, latkes, dancing, and fun. Charleston is home to the longest-running synagogue in the United States. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue was founded in 1749, and is an important landmark and anchor to the old southern city.

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue

This year, more than many, the Festival of Lights is a beautiful symbol that a “little bit of light dispels a great deal of darkness” (Rabbi Schneur Zalman). We can all agree that we need more light and joy in 2020. Happy Hanukkah!

November 27, 2020October 15, 2020

Shop Til You Drop! Amazing Malls to Check Out This Holiday Season

The day after Thanksgiving is the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season, and this year is no different. While more people than ever are shopping online and curbside, there are some really amazing malls around the world.

Let’s take a look at some cool places people can buy gifts this holiday season.

The Dubai Mall

The second largest mall in the world, the Dubai Mall in the United Arab Emirates is a destination unto itself.

It is part of the massive Downtown project in Dubai, and has more than 1,200 stores and shops.

In addition, it has an Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, a 22-screen cinema, a haunted house, a massive dinosaur fossil, and a kid-focused educational amusement park.

The Dubai Mall

South China Mall

The South China Mall, which opened in 2005, is the second-largest mall when considering leasable area, with space for more than 2,000 stores.

It took more than a decade to lease out the retail space, but by 2018, it was basically full.

It now has an IMAX, replicas of international landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe from Paris, France, and the canals and gondolas of Venice, Italy.

New South China Mall

Mall of America

The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, is one of the state’s biggest attractions. It is one of the most popular malls in the world, but in spite of its reputation, it is actually only the second largest mall in the United States.

Nonetheless, it is epic.

It has a movie theater, indoor amusement park, and has plans for an indoor water park. An interesting fact about the mall is that, in spite of be located in Minnesota, famous for its long and cold winters, the mall doesn’t have a main heating system. The lights and electricity, windows, and body heat from shoppers is enough to keep the area warm on even the coldest winter day.

Mall Of America

West Edmonton Mall

Located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is North America’s largest mall. It is Canada’s most visited mall, and was the world’s largest mall until 2004.

In addition to more than 800 stores and shops, it has two hotels, 100+ restaurants, a water park, amusement park, miniature golf, and a huge ice rink, fitting for Canada.

Among the most unique features of the mall are the shooting range, nightclub, and a chapel.

West Edmonton Mall

Barney’s in New York City

Certainly not the biggest retailer, Barney’s is still one of the most iconic stores, especially for Christmas and holiday shopping.

The store’s massive windows are extravagantly decorated each year for the holiday season and it’s an annual event for people to stroll down the sidewalk and admire the artistry and creativity of the store.

It’s one of the sure ways people in New York know the holiday season is officially here.

Barneys New York

King of Prussia Mall

The title of “Largest Mall in the United States” currently belongs to the King of Prussia Mall outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

While the Mall of America has more stores, the King of Prussia mall has a bigger footprint, and therefore is given the title.

More than 22 million visitors each year come to the complex to shop, eat, and be entertained.

The mall once consisted of two separate structures, but was connected in 2016. It has some of the most luxurious shopping in the area, and three food courts, so you’ll never go hungry while spending all your money.

King of Prussia Mall

These are just a few of the biggest, and best, places to shop this holiday season; that is, if you’re willing to put down the phone and get in line, rather than shop online.

Happy holidays!