dimanche 31 août 2008

This day in history - August, 31 1997- PRINCESS DIANA DIES


Diana, Princess of Wales, dies in Paris' Pitie-Salpetiere Hospital after suffering massive chest injuries in an early morning car accident. Her companion, Dodi Fayed, was killed instantly in the 12:25 a.m. crash, as was driver Henri Paul, who was drunk and lost control of the Mercedes in a highway underpass. He was driving at excessive speeds in a reckless attempt to escape paparazzi photographers. Diana's bodyguard, Trevor Rees Jones, escaped with serious but nonfatal injuries. He was the only one wearing his seat belt. The death of Diana, beloved by millions for her beauty and good nature, plunged the world into mourning.

mardi 26 août 2008

FLORIDA- SUMMER 2008- PHOTO GALLERY

MIAMI BEACH- ART DECO DISTRICT


MIAMI BEACH

KEY WEST





THE EVERGLADES (national park)

an air-boat ride / the alligators


DOLPHINS - SEA WOLD - ORLANDO
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS - ORLANDO

ANIMAL KINGDOM - DISNEY WORLD -ORLANDO
The Everest ( roller-coaster)




PALM BEACH



THE HIGHWAY TO MIAMI AIRPORT






mercredi 20 août 2008

4th JULY - INDEPENDENCE DAY- USA


The 4th of July may not be the most original name for a holiday, but for Americans it is the most patriotic day of the year. Why is this day so important in our nation's history? On July 4, 1776, representatives from North America's 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence, the most important of all American historical documents.

The Birth of a NationUntil the declaration was signed, America was under the rule of the British government. But as the 13 North American British colonies began to form, Americans felt that they were being treated unfairly by the British Government. They felt that they were paying too much in taxes to Great Britain and were angry they did not have anyone to represent them in the government.

By June 1776, Americans were tired of trying to work out an agreement with Great Britain. They were also tired of being told what to do so they decided to write the Declaration of Independence. On July 2, 1776, all 13 colonies officially separated from Great Britain and became the United States.

America Inspires the World : America's Declaration of Independence was so powerful that it encouraged people all over the world to fight for their own freedom. The declaration inspired South America to fight for its independence from Spanish rule. It also inspired the French during the French Revolution. The declaration is often used as a symbol for justice and freedom for other nations as well.

WHAT TO DO ON 4th JULY ?
Most people decorate their houses for the occasion. They put blue, red and white streamers and ballons on their houses and many organize picnics or barbecues with their friends. There's an atmosphere of joy everywhere in Washington.
In the White House, the president makes a speech and the national anthem is played. Then , the President visits the washington Memorial with the First Lady, in honour of one of the Founding Fathers of the USA.
The day ends with the traditional foreworks in front of a huge crowd.

lundi 18 août 2008

BEIJING SUMMER OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY

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LET THE GAMES BEGIN !!
Fireworks and festivities dazzled the world at the Olympic opening ceremonies.

An audience of 91,000 people packed in to the Olympic National Stadium in Beijing, China, today to watch an entertainment program including 30,000 fireworks and more than two hours of music at the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

China's opening ceremonies are reported to be the largest and most expensive of any in Olympic history.
The National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest for its unique design, came alive with excitement on the hot summer night. There were 2,008 drummers, to match this Olympic year on the calendar, rocking the stadium. Nearly two hours of music, specially composed for the event, filled the air. Twenty fairies fell from the night sky, or so it seemed as acrobats on wires descended into the stadium. A group of 56 children gathered around the Chinese flag. Participants wore 15,153 costumes that were created in 47 styles.
World leaders gathered to enjoy the spectacle, including United States President George W. Bush, who became the first U.S. president to attend an Olympics held in a foreign country.


The timing of the ceremony itself, which began at 8 p.m. on 8/8/08, is considered good luck in China, where eight is the luckiest number.
The opening ceremonies kicked off 17 days of Olympic events, stretching straight through to the closing ceremonies on August 24. More than 10,000 athletes from 205 countries are gearing up to compete at the top of their game.

WHO ARE THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ?

SENATOR BARACK OBAMA
Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 4, 1961. His father, Barack Obama, Sr., was born and raised in Kenya, Africa. His mother, Ann Dunham, was raised in Kansas. His parents met while studying at the University of Hawaii.
Obama graduated from to Columbia University in 1983. In 1985, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, to become a community organizer working to improve poor neighborhoods in Chicago. Obama then attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1991.
Obama returned to Chicago soon after law school. He worked as a lawyer and taught law for a few years before he ran for the Illinois State Senate in 1996. He served as a State Senator for eight years. Obama joined the U.S. Senate in 2004. He was the third African American to be elected to the U.S. Senate since 1877.
Obama lives in Chicago with his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Natasha and Malia Ann.


SENATOR JOHN MC CAIN
Senator John McCain, 71, likes to describe himself as "the luckiest man you will ever meet." But hard work, not just luck, helped him reach the Republican Party's nomination in early March.
McCain has traveled a long road to get to where he is.

He was born on August 29, 1936, while his father was serving as a U.S. Navy officer in the Panama Canal Zone. Both McCain's father and grandfather were Navy admirals. Young John followed in the family career, and became a naval aviator.
As a flier, McCain withstood several near-death experiences. In 1967, during the Vietnam War, his plane was shot down. He survived more than five years as a prisoner of war. After returning home, he continued to serve in the military until 1981 when he retired as a captain.
In 1981, McCain was elected to the U.S. Congress as a representative. Five years later, he was elected to the Senate. He has served in Congress for 25 years.
This is not the first time McCain has run for President. In 2000, he unsuccessfully tried to gain his party's nomination. If McCain wins the November election, he will be 72 years old when he takes office. He would be the oldest first-term President ever.
McCain lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife, Cindy. He has seven children, Doug, Andy, Sidney, Meghan, Jack, Jimmy and Bridget, and four grandchildren.