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562 years ago, the Ottoman Empire conquered the island of Lesbos, changing the balance of power in the Aegean Sea 🏰🌊 In September 1462, the island of Lesbos faced a pivotal moment in its history as the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Mehmed II, launched a siege on its capital, Mytilene. The siege, noted for its intense bombardment and swift resolution, exemplified the might of the Ottoman artillery. Lesbos's fall set the stage for further Ottoman expansion. Mehmed II’s victory ended the rule of the powerful Gattilusio family, feudal lords from Genoa who had controlled the island since the mid-14th century, and began a period of Ottoman control which lasted until 1912. The Ottomans landed on 1 September. Within days, their artillery began a bombardment of Mytilene's castle. Ottoman forces overwhelmed the defenders. By 15 September, Niccolò Gattilusio, the ruler of Lesbos, surrendered, hoping for lenient terms. However, he and many of the defenders were executed, and the island's population faced forced relocation. The conquest of Lesbos solidified Ottoman dominance in the northeastern Aegean and laid the foundations for the First Ottoman–Venetian War. The island was eventually captured by Greece in 1912 during the First Balkan War. The Ottoman conquest was a critical moment in the history of Lesbos, reshaping its political and social context for centuries to come. The inhabitants faced significant upheaval, including the introduction of Ottoman governance, law, and culture. Read details of the siege and its aftermath ➡️ https://w.wiki/Ap52

Known as one of the few people to receive all four of the major American performing art awards, James Earl Jones died on 9 September, aged 93. Jones had a stutter since childhood. He said that poetry and acting helped him overcome the challenges it posed. With an extensive career spanning six decades, Jones gained international recognition for his voice role as Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” franchise, beginning with the original 1977 film. His deep voice was praised as a “stirring basso profondo that has lent gravel and gravitas” to his projects. Read more about James Earl Jones' life and legacy ➡️ https://w.wiki/3i9c

Skateparks have evolved dramatically since the first one was built in 1965, in Tucson, Arizona (USA). These recreational spaces are now cultural hubs, offering a variety of experiences. BMX bikers, inline skaters, scooter riders, and wheelchair athletes can all use skateparks. There are three main types of skateparks: 🛹 Bowl parks are inspired by the structure of swimming pools 🛹 Street plazas mimic urban environments with elements such as stairs and rails 🛹 Flow parks blend elements of both. One notable example of a skatepark is the Burnside Skatepark in Portland, Oregon (USA), which was originally created as an unofficial do-it-yourself (DIY) project by the skating community. Modern skateparks are more than just concrete – they are dynamic environments fostering creativity, community, and the DIY spirit of skateboarding culture. Explore the history and impact of skateparks ➡️ https://w.wiki/Ap4x

🎨 In this strange story, a missing masterpiece was found in an unexpected place. The painting “Sleeping Lady with Black Vase” by Hungarian artist Róbert Berény was created in the 1920s and thought to be lost for decades after World War II. It was only rediscovered when an art historian spotted it in the background of the 1999 film “Stuart Little.” After its true origins were revealed, the painting was later sold for $285,700 USD. So, how did the painting get there? It had previously been sold for only $40 at a charity auction in the mid-1990s to art collector Michael Hempstead. Hempstead then sold the painting to an antique store in Pasadena, California, for $400. The “Stuart Little” film's set designer purchased the painting at the Pasadena antique shop for $500. In 2009, art historian Gergely Barki recognized the painting while watching “Stuart Little” with his three-year-old daughter. He remembered it from a 1928 black-and-white photograph. Despite not having recording software to pause or replay the scenes, Barki was determined to find the painting. Barki sent around 40-50 emails to production companies and crew members. After two years, he got a response from the set designer who owned it. Barki traveled to the United States and was able to verify the painting's authenticity. “Sleeping Lady with Black Vase” is a portrait of Berény’s second wife, Eta, rendered in the Art Deco style. It features her reclining in a dress with a 1920s hairstyle, next to a black vase. The oil painting is now considered one of Berény's finest works. Art historians have praised it as a “perfect” of 1920s European art, blending influences from French, German, and Russian styles. Read the full story of lost and found ➡️ https://w.wiki/Ap4y

🌿 Meet the newly ascended Māori Queen, the latest in a proud lineage of leadership and cultural heritage. Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō was elected as the new Māori monarch on 5 September 2024. She is the eighth monarch since the position was created, and the second woman to hold the title. As Māori Queen, she carries forward the legacy of her ancestors, advocating for the rights of Māori people and preserving their cultural traditions. The Māori are the Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. Their ancestry traces back to East Polynesia, with the first settlers arriving in New Zealand around the 14th century, navigating across vast oceans in waka (canoes). Over several centuries in isolation, these settlers developed their own distinctive culture, whose language, mythology, crafts, and performing arts evolved independently from those of other eastern Polynesian cultures. The Māori King Movement, called Kīngitanga, was established in 1858 as a way to unify Māori under a single monarch in response to growing British colonization. The movement created a sense of solidarity among Māori tribes and continues to play an important role in their political and social lives today. The Māori monarch serves as a cultural figurehead with no legal or judicial power within the New Zealand government, but the movement helps advocate for Māori rights and interests. Despite facing challenges during colonization, including the loss of land and suppression of language, the Māori play a significant role in modern New Zealand society and politics. Te reo Māori (the Māori language) is an official language of New Zealand, and Māori culture is celebrated in national events, education, and the arts, thanks to revitalization efforts and growing appreciation of their heritage. Learn more about the history and significance of the Māori people ➡️ https://w.wiki/4LsZ

Can you imagine a garden without plants? 🪨✨ Japanese dry gardens focus on simplicity and abstraction, symbolically representing natural elements like mountains and rivers, often with minimal or no water. In these serene landscapes, precise compositions of rocks, moss, bushes, gravel, and sand create a peaceful setting for meditation. Sometimes referred to as Zen gardens, these tranquil spaces are commonly found at temples or monasteries. They are usually meant to be seen while seated from a single viewpoint outside the garden, such as the porch of the hojo – the residence of the chief monk of the temple or monastery. These stylized landscapes have existed in Japan at least since the Heian period (794-1185), and gained prominence in the Buddhist temples of the Muromachi period (1336-1573). One of the most famous examples of a Japanese dry garden is the Ryōan-ji Zen temple in Kyoto. This garden is renowned for its minimalist design and the enigmatic arrangement of its 15 stones of different sizes, which are placed so that the entire composition cannot be seen at once. The rocks are surrounded by white gravel, raked each day by the monks. The only vegetation in the garden is some moss around the stones. The temple and its gardens are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To explore more of the dry gardens’ timeless beauty and spiritual significance, visit Wikipedia ➡️ https://w.wiki/Ap4v

The closing ceremony of the 2024 Summer Paralympics will be held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, this Sunday. The Paralympic Games have grown into one of the world’s largest sporting events, attracting over 4,000 athletes from more than 160 nations. Held every four years after the Olympics, these Games celebrate the extraordinary talents of athletes with disabilities. Since their origin in 1948 as a small competition for British World War II veterans, the Paralympics have evolved into a major global event. The Paralympic Games are designed to celebrate the athletic achievements of participants, showcasing their skills and strengths. Today, the Summer Paralympic program includes 22 sports, while the Winter Paralympics feature six sports. A key element of the Paralympics is the classification system, which ensures fair competition by grouping athletes based on the nature of their disabilities. The Paralympic Games continue to grow and play a crucial role in challenging societal perceptions of disability. With each event, the achievements of Paralympic athletes affirm that sport is for everyone. Learn more about the Paralympic Games ➡️ https://w.wiki/3vtA

One of the most famous monuments in France, the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris. The Arc de Triomphe was built to honor those who served in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Beneath its grand vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I, which holds an unidentified member of the French armed forces killed during the war. The Arc also features four main sculptural groups on its pillars, each telling a story of French valor. Inspired by the first-century Arch of Titus in Rome, the Arc de Triomphe stands 50 meters tall. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Paris from its top. Learn more about the history of this renowned monument ➡️ https://w.wiki/3pzo 

From the Philippines to your plate! 🌏🍰 Did you know buko pie started as a twist on a classic from the United States? Buko pie was created in Laguna, Philippines, by the Pahud sisters. Soledad Pahud, inspired by her time in the US, adapted the traditional American apple pie recipe using buko (young coconuts), a locally abundant ingredient. Their innovative twist turned buko pie into a beloved Filipino delicacy. 🥥🇵🇭 There are different variations, like macapuno pie, which uses a special type of thick, sticky coconut, and modern versions flavored with pandan, vanilla, or almond essences. Read all about this beloved dessert ➡️ https://w.wiki/8oKw

The sweet potato is more than a delicious staple food in Polynesian society. Its presence is also a mystery that bridges continents. Originally from South America, the sweet potato was cultivated in Polynesia around 1000 CE. It quickly became integral to the diet of various Polynesian islands, especially Hawaii, Easter Island, and New Zealand. But how did the sweet potato travel such vast distances to get there? Some theories suggest Polynesian voyagers made contact with South America, while others draw on genetic studies to propose the plant floated across the ocean. In modern cultivation, traditional sweet potato varieties of kūmara have been supplanted by larger varieties brought by whaling ships in the 1800s. However, traditional cultivars still remain. Most modern commercial kūmara is grown in Northland, New Zealand. How did the sweet potato really arrive there? What impact did it have after? Read the theories and history on Wikipedia ➡️ https://w.wiki/AbvA