Les Invalides - best war museum in Paris

Hi everyone,

I want to tell you about one of my favorite war museums, Les Invalides, in Paris, France.

The very beautiful Les Invalides

I love this museum because it has a timeline from when Napolelon the 1st was in power through WW1 and 2. You learn about the military history of France with models and many maps (I'm a map lover!).

These maps show allied powers take over Italy to stop Mussolini

My favorite exhibit focuses on WW2.  I find WW2 fascinating because the war was such a brutal conflict, and almost every country in the world participated. 

What interests me most is Hitler's rise as he takes over Europe, and his inevitable fall.

A large WW2 tank

Les Invalides also has an exciting history. It used to be an army base, holding thousands of weapons, and many cannons for the French.

I feel bad for whoever had to cary these cannons in war time! A very accurate model of the trenches, or fox holes,  in the first world war

The French Revoluion began when the commoners and soldiers alike stormed Les Invalides to steal weapons. 

A mob attacks the bastille.

Les Invalides also holds the tomb of Napoleon, and some of his generals.

Such a big tomb, for such a little guy

 This museum is great, if you love history and weapons. Sometimes museums can be boring for kids, but this is a great museum for kids, and especially boys!

Thanks,

Emmanuel

Reach high for your goals

Hi everyone,

I found an interesting quote by Winston Churchill. I like this quote because everyone faces challenges achieving their goals and it's good to know challenges make us stronger.

" Kites Rise Highest Against the Wind, Not With it." Winston Churchill

 The quote basically means the harder you have to work for something the higher you go. When things are easy and unchallenging you don't grow and get better. 

My challenge this next few months is to get into the best middle school. I'll have to work hard to write the best essays, test well on the isee (scary) and get great grades. I hope my kite flies high

Thanks,

Emmanuel

Ebola Outbreak!

Hi everybody,

Aghhhh - New Virus in town!!!!

 I just read a terrifying article about a virus that is infecting people in Uganda, Africa. 

Ebola virus!

So far 53 people are infected and 16 have already died from the highly contageous virus. 

You might think 14 deaths may be a small number compared to the people who die from Malaria every day. Keep in mind, in Africa a child dies from Malaria every 30 seconds. 

Malaria can be controlled with mosquito nets

  

But the Ebola virus has a terrifying rate of death and horrible symptoms!

The effects of Ebola (man that is CREEPY!)

Ebola has the potential to wipe out entire villages and even cities! 

A worried man who has been infected with Ebola

Uganda's government says the outbreak is "under control", but the virus has stricken fear through the country.

Uganda 

Let's hope Ebola  actually is "under control" and doesn't find it's way to any other country in Africa or around the world.

Thanks everybody!


Emmanuel

Turning Insults to Advantages

Did you ever wonder why the Democrats and Republicans use a donkey and an elephant as their symbols? I did, and I thought I'd share what I found.

Donkey = Democrat

Andrew Jackson was the first Democrat to be associated with the donkey symbol. In 1828, his opponents called Jackson a "jackass" for his slogans about letting the people of America rule themselves. Jackson decided to use the "strong willed" donkey as a symbol on his campaign posters, representing the people ruling themselves. Cartoonist Thomas Nast used the donkey in political cartoons making the donkey famous. 

Way to go AJ for turning an insult into your advantage! 

Republican = Elephant

In a cartoon appearing in Harper's Weekly in 1874, cartoonist Thomas Nast drew a donkey clothed in lion's skin scaring away all the animals at the zoo. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled "The Republican party”. That’s how the elephant became associated with the Republicans who consider the elephant strong and dignified. 

Nast's actual cartoon, note the donkey in lion's skin. 

Here are some funny political cartoons using the two symbols….

Seems like this will be a tough Debate

The Democrats beating the Republicans

The Republicans beating the Democrats

Here are some political cartoons mocking Romney and Obama.

Can Romney use his idea of flip-flopping to his advantage?

Will obama turn bad economics to his advantage?

Next time someone makes fun of you, use it to your advantage like our forefathers!

Thanks,

Emmanuel

Hura's History

Hi everybody,

Today, I'm interviewing one of my favorite teachers who has inspired me to love history.

Ms. Hura, one of JTD's finest, is always positive, energetic and even humorous.  She truly makes history fun to learn.

Ms. Hura,  always with a bright smile. 

Ms. Hura's love for history has sparked my own passion for the subject.

My 5th grade history text book.

I love studying Napoleon, European history, American history, wars, ancient history and the list goes on. I’m fascinated how everything happening in our world today relates back to earlier history. 

For instance, China was a major exporter and trader of silk and spices in the 14th and 15th centuries. Once again, China is now a major exporter of manufactured goods.  

Ancient Chinese Trading Ship

Modern day Chinese Trading Ships

   

I was curious to learn where her passion for history began...

       

EZ- What sparked your passion for history? 

DH - My dad was a huge history buff and has worked for the government and a few presidents in the past. The stories he would tell always intrigued me and got me loving history. History is a true story….what's not to love about true stories right?

EZ- What's your trick in motivating your students to love history? 

DH- I think I have an understanding about being a student…I always wished my teachers had made us laugh more, or would goof off themselves. Sitting in class for a double period can be long and uninspiring. Knowing that, I try to mix things up a bit, make you guys laugh, give you something else to think about, rather than just listening to my voice all period long! Plus, being a huge fan of the subjects I get to teach you guys, keeps me peppy and wanting you guys to try to love the subjects as much as I do! 

An inspiring teacher, "Dead Poets Society"

EZ- What's your favorite period in history? 

DH- My favorite period of history is the US from the early 1950s to the end of the 1960s. (post-WW2) Our country was reinventing itself all on its own and the famous characters of the time inspire me and keep me wanting to learn more and more! 

EZ- What piece of advice would you give me (and my fellow classmates) to prepare for 6th grade? 

DH- I would hope you guys can arrive in fall still confident in your writing skills and note taking skills. These are going to help you so much in 6th grade and for the rest of your academic careers. Also, I hope you all come in positively and embrace the very special year of 6th grade at JTD. You will be busy but with all of the exciting things only 6th graders get to do, I want you all to enjoy each moment!! 

EZ-Why is history important for us all?

DH- History is important to us all because it is proof that mistakes can happen. Bad decisions have occurred even in the White House. History teaches us to accept responsibility and learn from our mistakes. We all make them, but studying how others lived through their own mistakes and fixed things, might help us grow as citizens and citizens who aim to do the right thing whenever possible.

DH-...You and your UNICEF charities are making history Eman! You are teaching others how to be a good citizen and hopefully people are reading about you and learning from you right as we speak!

Thanks, Ms. Hura for your time.
I hope you all enjoyed meeting one of my favorite teachers.

Thanks

Emmanuel

Who Will Stop Assad, and When?

How far does Assad have to go before the UN intervenes?

Do you think the UN should stop Assad from killing  his people to preserve his power? 

I think the UN should intervene.

Assad is killing hundreds of innocent women and children for his own power. It's he's stopped before Syria is in a major civil war, where the deaths will amount to an even larger number than today.

Send me your thoughts and comments.

Thanks everyone! 

Emmanuel

Destination Delphi

 Hi everyone,

I just took a trip to the torrid, but fascinating city of Delphi. Greece in July, yes, it was scorching.

At first, I thought the 2000 year old city full of rocks would bore me. But, I was fascinated by it’s history and preservation.

We drove for 2 hours to get to Delphi from Gregolimano

If you ever have an urge to go to the center of the world (at least for the Greeks) you should absolutely visit the 2000 year old city of Delphi.

I thought New York was the center of the world! 

We are ten days away from the London Olympic games. Guess what? Delphi hosted the ancient Greek olympics before they officially moved to Olympia. Here are some pictures of the ancient stadium where the athletes competed for the laurel wreath. 

How would you like to sit in those seats for hours? Bring your own cushion!

The Romans introduced seats to the Greeks. Greeks used to just stand to watch the games. 

In Greek Mythology, Delphi was the center of the world and the home of the famous oracle The priestess of Apollo. Here is the shrine of Apollo. This is where the oracle told men's fortunes. Today, you can get your future too - just read your horoscope.

Fortunes told here.....

Thankfully, there was an air conditioned museum on site. Here we saw Greek antiquities.

This sphynx looks Egyptian but, it's a Greek statue. Looks like the Egyptians might have been inspired by the Greeks....

Gold leaf covers the head of this Greek man

Thanks everyone! 

Emmanuel 

Warlord Sentenced to Jail

Hi everyone

I wanted to share some news about a warlord (a military commander, esp. an aggressive regional commander with individual autonomy) who forced children to fight in his army. 

I'm glad another war criminal has been held accountable. 

Warlord goes to jail

Warlord Thomas Lubanga Dyilo listened as the International Criminal Court sentenced him Tuesday in The Hague to 14 years in prison for using child soldiers. He was found guilty in March of abducting children under the age of 15 and forcing them to fight in the Congo. (Jerry Lampen/ANP/Reuters)

Follow me on Instagram -  emanzadventures. 

Thanks! 

Emmanuel 

A London Must See ~ Churchill's War Rooms

Hi everybody,

Anybody who goes to London MUST SEE the Churchill War Rooms!!

Yesterday, I toured Winston Churchill’s War Rooms in London, England which was a highlight of my Summer. 

The war rooms were underground bunkers, where Churchill, the Prime Minister, and his cabinet would plot strategic moves during World War 2.

Entrance to Churchill's War Rooms

Because we took a private tour, I was able to enter several of Churchill’s private rooms and experience what were beyond the glass walls.

Visitors looking inside Churchill's room

In the meeting room, where Churchill and his cabinet would strategize their military operations, I had the privilege of siting on the exact seat as Churchill had so many years ago.

'Looking Churchill-like in the meeting room
Where are my cigars?!

In front of him sat a large red box, a fountain pen and ink-wells, a letter opener and an ash tray (for the infamous cigars).

I found this quote sitting on the meeting room desk.
Don't give up without a fight!

The seating chart of the key decision makers 

In fact, in front of every seat sat an ash tray. Back in those days everybody smoked cigarettes. The room must have been filled with smoke without any ventilation (there wasn’t a single window).

No windows and ashtrays abound

Our guide led us to the map room next where very few were admitted during the war. 

Top Secret Map Room

 This room was my favorite because maps intrigue me with their borders and history.  Ships were plotted on the map by small pushpins, ports were noted by small square notes.

My sister doesn't like maps as much as I do.....

I was amazed how much of the world was engaged in World War 2. Countries I never thought were involved played a role. South Africa, Senegal, Ethiopia, India, Australia, they were all used for strategic positioning.

Map with notes

"Hitler's Dead!"

Churchill made all his wartime broadcasts from his private quarters in the bunker. 

Churchill's desk where he made radio broadcasts 

Though there was a bed, he only slept in the room 3 nights diring the war. Why, you ask? Churchill hated not having running water which meant he had to pee in a pot!

Churchill's Pee Pot....no seriously....

If you are interested in WW2, I urge you to pay a visit.  Churchill was a brave, cunning and influential man. The war rooms are captivating. 

Churchill

Thanks, 

Emmanuel