title: Blur (video game)

text: The game can be played with up to four players in split screen, and the game can be taken online for a maximum of 20 players over the internet, or over LAN in the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 versions. In a custom game, options can be set before each match that determine the layout of power-ups, car classes, number of laps, and the car to race. A match type called "World Tour" is essentially a quick play option for players who want to jump into a match. Here, every player is given a random car and thrown into a random series of courses with a standard ruleset. Multiplayer also offers "Team Racing" mode. Two teams (Alpha & Omega) can put themselves head to head either publicly or private. During races, each player accumulates points for their finishing position. While in team racing, powerups will not affect the player's own team members with the exception of Shock. Players can send a racing challenge to an online friend. If the second player beats the time, they can send the updated challenge back. These challenges go back and forth until one person concedes. Players can also use the Share button, and post their achievements to Twitter and Facebook.


title: Blur (video game)

text: The game was very well received overall by critics, with a Metacritic score of 82/100 on the Xbox 360 and an 81/100 on the PlayStation 3 and PC.


title: Blur (video game)

text: In the US, "Blur" sold 31,000 copies in its first five days of release according to the NPD. The game ultimately sold 500,000 copies.


title: Blur (video game)

text: Despite disappointing sales, Nick Davies of Bizarre Creations had announced in July 2010 that the studio intended to create more games in the series, and wanted to make it the biggest racing franchise. He attributed the sales performance of "Blur", to the fact that the game was released at "a very busy time for racing games", and that it "came out at the same time as "ModNation Racers" and "Split/Second"." However, he believed "that the strong multiplayer component would give the game staying power", and "it's going to be a slow-burner".


title: Blur (video game)

text: On February 18, 2011, Activision announced that it was closing Bizarre Creations, stating: Over the past three years since our purchase of Bizarre Creations, the fundamentals of the racing genre have changed significantly. Although we made a substantial investment in creating a new IP, "Blur", it did not find a commercial audience. Bizarre is a very talented team of developers, however, because of the broader economic factors impacting the market, we are exploring our options regarding the future of the studio, including a potential sale of the business.


title: Blur (video game)

text: A sequel was planned for "Blur", and work had started on it using an all-new engine, but it was cancelled when Bizarre Creations was shut down by Activision. Work-in-progress videos of the intended sequel were released post-mortem, one of which show a race in "Blur"s Brighton track, adding a rainstorm, another that shows an Audi R8 racing in a track set in Dubai, showcasing the ability to temporarily run sideways on the side of a curved building, and another of an Ultima GTR racing down a snow-capped mountain during an avalanche.


title: Blur (video game)

text: On October 25, 2013 a free-to-play spin-off mobile game called "Blur Overdrive" was released on Android, developed by Nottingham based App Crowd, and distributed by Marmalade, who licensed the "Blur" brand from Activision. An iOS version was released on November 1, 2013. "Blur: Overdrive" uses a top-down perspective and features eight different power-ups and six cars, which can be upgraded individually in ten steps. Touchscreen controls allow to choose from a floating steering wheel, a slide bar or a virtual pad. Player mods and Power Up mods are not connected to the car upgrading system and change how power-ups influence the combat.


title: Nirav Shah

text: Nirav Shah (born 16 November 1974) is an Indian cinematographer. He has worked on a number of major box office hits in Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam since his debut with the 2004 Hindi film "Paisa Vasool".


title: Nirav Shah

text: After having worked as an assistant to other noted cinematographers and solely on many television advertisements, music videos and short films, Nirav Shah became an independent cinematographer for a "full feature film", debuting with the 2004 Bollywood film "Paisa Vasool", following which he worked on another Hindi project "Intequam" (2004). It was, however, the Hindi blockbuster film "Dhoom" (2004) that made people take notice of Shah, winning him accolades and gaining him fame and popularity.


title: Nirav Shah

text: Subsequently, Shah got offers from the Tamil film industry as well and moved southwards, debuting in Kollywood with the 2005 Linguswamy-directed action film "Sandakozhi", following which he was called up by director Vishnuvardhan. They first teamed up for the 2005 Tamil gangster film "Pattiyal", following which Vishnuvardhan worked together with Shah for all his following feature films, creating, along with noted music composer, Yuvan Shankar Raja, one of the most acclaimed and most successful collaborations in the Tamil film industry. Shah's works in Vishnuvardhan's films including "Arinthum Ariyamalum" (2005), "Billa" (2007) and the most recent "Sarvam" (2008) got high praise and much critical acclaim, turning him into one of the most sought-after young cinematographers in Kollywood.


title: Nirav Shah

text: He returned to Bollywood to work on the films "Banaras" and the sequel of "Dhoom" (both 2006), for which Shah again won accolades and also received several awards and nominations, particular for the latter one. He was signed up by Prabhu Deva for the Vijay-starrer "Pokkiri" (2007) and by the director-duo Pushkar-Gayathri for their debut venture "Oram Po" (2007). In 2008 then, Nirav Shah was called by noted filmmaker Shankar to handle the camera for his forthcoming magnum opus science-fiction film "Enthiran", but Shah had to reject the invitation because he had already given his word to his friend Vishnuvardhan's "Sarvam". He went on to work on the Hindi remake of "Pokkiri", "Wanted", directed again by Prabhu Deva and A. L. Vijay's "Madrasapattinam".


title: Nirav Shah

text: In July 2009, it was announced that Shah would soon turn film director, directing a film under actor Arya's production, starring Arya's brother Sathya in the lead role. Besides, Shah is currently developing and building India's biggest film studio, located at the Old Mahabalipuram Road off Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, which is said to cost around Rs. 100 crore.


title: Nirav Shah

text: Three of his films have been nominated at the National Award for the Best Cinematographer: "Banaras" (Hindi), "Pattiyal" (Tamil) and "Dhoom 2" (Hindi). He won the Tamil Nadu Government's State Award for Best Cinematographer for "Billa" (Tamil).


title: Ro Laren

text: Ro Laren is a fictional character appearing on a recurring basis in the , , and seasons of the American science fiction television series "". Portrayed by Michelle Forbes, she is a member of the Bajoran species who joins the crew of the USS "Enterprise"-D over the fervent objection of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), who cited her previous court-martial. Ro, too, was against joining the Enterprise crew, but said "it is better than prison." The character was intended both to be at odds with the series regulars and to replace Wesley Crusher at the conn officer post on the bridge. Forbes was cast to portray Ro, after previously appearing in the series as Dara in the episode "".


title: Ro Laren

text: The character first appears in the fifth-season episode "", which reveals elements of Ro's backstory. She continued to appear throughout that season, and made a further appearance in each of the sixth and seventh seasons. Starfleet sought her aid to help the Cardassians apprehend a Bajoran terrorist. After joining the "Enterprise" crew, she wants to abandon the engineering section of the vessel following a series of power failures in "". Alongside Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), she is affected by a Romulan experiment in "The Next Phase" and must help prevent the aliens from destroying the "Enterprise". In "", she is one of the crew who are transformed into children and helps prevent a Ferengi plot. When making her final appearance in "", she is tasked by Starfleet to infiltrate the Maquis, eventually defecting and joining them permanently.


title: Ro Laren

text: Ro was also planned to be a main character in "". However, Forbes turned down the role, so Kira Nerys was created to replace her. Reviewers discussed the religious views of Ro, comparing her views to those of Kira. Ro has been received positively by both critics and fans alike. Critics have praised the performances of Forbes, and the interaction of Ro with the existing characters. She has been placed in several polls listing the most popular characters, with Jordan Hoffman calling her the second strongest supporting female character in the franchise.


title: Ro Laren

text: During the course of planning out the of "", the producers were looking to add a recurring character who could conflict with the regular cast at times as well as a new conn officer to replace Wesley Crusher. With that in mind, the episode "" was written by Michael Piller, from a story idea created in conjunction with Rick Berman, to specifically introduce the character of Ensign Ro Laren. The episode was designed to show a backstory for the character, who would be at odds with series creator Gene Roddenberry's ideal that Starfleet officers should all work together seamlessly. One of her major character traits was that she would be a member of an oppressed people, whose homeworld had been conquered by another. Supervising producer Jeri Taylor explained that they had sought to add some "fresh life" using a darker character.


title: Ro Laren

text: Michelle Forbes was asked to return to the series, after impressing the producers with her performance as Dara in the episode "". The character was the daughter of Timicin, played by David Ogden Stiers, and supported the tradition that her father should commit ritual suicide upon reaching a certain age. The Bajoran make-up was created on her, with Michael Westmore seeking to make her look different from the rest of the crew but in a way that would not detract from her appearance. Westmore created an appliance over Forbes' nose, before adding a row of ridges on her face. It was designed to be light and flexible, as he wanted the piece to move with Forbes' facial expressions. Her version of the make-up had seven ridges, while other actors in "Ensign Ro" had different numbers, between five and nine, with the male actors wearing larger pieces.


title: Ro Laren

text: Piller described the addition of Ro to the cast as one of that season's biggest accomplishments, and was pleased that it was well received. He added that in "Ensign Ro", they made a deliberate decision to have Ro embraced by Guinan in order to ensure that the fans warmed to the new addition. Piller felt that when Guinan took Ro to meet Captain Jean-Luc Picard in that episode, the character was effectively presenting Ro to the fans of the series and endorsing her. During the writing process, he felt that once he came across the friendship between Guinan and Ro that he believed "we had really done something magnificent". Forbes, meanwhile, praised the writing and the cast of the series, saying that she had "become very attached to "Star Trek"".


title: Ro Laren

text: Piller was disappointed with the following Ro episode, "", as it put her in the position of disbelieving Counselor Deanna Troi without having had the weight of "victories" in the past to convince the viewer of the power of her convictions. But she enjoyed her sudden relationship with Commander William Riker in "". Forbes shared the view of that episode, later saying "When you have amnesia, you wonder if that brings out a side of you that's always wanted to come out. Would you really be comfortable with that? It's an interesting thing. I had a really good time with that episode." Later in the season, "The Next Phase" was written with the idea of being a vehicle for Geordi La Forge and Troi, but it was decided to include Ro instead as one of the lead characters. Ro had been included as one of three lead characters in Morgan Gendel's original pitch for the episode "". This would have seen her in a love triangle with Picard and Riker. Instead, the concept was redeveloped to focus solely on Picard.


title: Ro Laren

text: Ro made a single appearance in the sixth season, in the episode "". In this episode, a transporter accident reverts Ro and three others into adolescents, with the younger version of Ro portrayed by Megan Parlen. There was some consideration after the episode about whether or not to keep Ro as a child, as her return to adulthood was never shown on screen. Taylor said that the change would have been "too drastic for us", and the idea was abandoned. Her final appearance, in the penultimate episode of the series, "", had been considered a long shot by the producers. After the failure to agree to her appearances on "", Forbes' agent had warned them to stay away from her. A week prior to filming, there was no story created for the episode other than the idea it would follow on from the "Deep Space Nine" episode "", and no agreement had been reached with Forbes to appear. Her agent indicated that Forbes wanted to talk directly to the producers, so she made the phone call, making up a story for the episode as the conversation went on. Forbes agreed, making her final appearance in the franchise. The character was promoted to Lieutenant, and Forbes wore updated Bajoran makeup developed by Westmore for "Deep Space Nine".


title: Ro Laren

text: "Ensign Ro" influenced the creation of "Deep Space Nine", with the Bajorans and Cardassians taken directly from the episode. The character was included in the original series description, stationed on the Bajor-based Starfleet station and the producers had planned for her to be promoted to Lieutenant in an episode of "The Next Generation" prior to the start of "Deep Space Nine". Taylor had expected Ro to be written out of "The Next Generation", and so had taken some steps to see that the character was replaced. She said that "We all just love Michelle Forbes", but the plans to replace Ro would not seek to add someone with the type of fire shown by the character in such episodes as "The Next Phase". She also said that if Ro were to remain on "The Next Generation", then the character would have naturally evolved away from that conflicted position anyway.


title: Ro Laren

text: The intention was that Ro would be one of a handful of "The Next Generation" characters moving over to the new series, alongside Miles and Keiko O'Brien. At this stage, the other characters were only described as a wheelchair-using science officer, a brash doctor, a civilian law enforcer, a bar owner and the station commander and his son. Ro's position on the station would have been to act as the liaison between the station and the Bajoran government. As described in the series bible, the producers had planned for Ro to be a point of conflict with "by-the-book Starfleet officers". Regarding the other main characters, she was planned to have a friendship with Odo and be mentored by Jadzia Dax.


title: Ro Laren

text: Both Berman and Piller sought to have Forbes sign on to portray Ro as a main character in the series, but she turned them down. She liked making occasional appearances on "The Next Generation", but did not want to tie herself down to a five- to six-year main cast contract at that point in her career. She was also apprehensive about the types of demands fan appearances made on the stars of that series, and did not want to undertake the level of appearances that would be expected of a main cast member in "Deep Space Nine". The producers of "Deep Space Nine" decided to create a new character to fit a similar mold, which resulted in the creation of Kira Nerys, who was played by Nana Visitor. This was designed to require as minimal a change as possible in the premise of the pilot at that time, which was already under production. During the course of the series, Forbes told interviewers that she was interested in making one-off appearances in the series if she liked the story and role.


title: Ro Laren

text: In accordance with Bajoran tradition, her family name precedes her personal name. When she first joins the crew of the "Enterprise"-D during the course of "Ensign Ro", Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) addresses her as "Ensign Laren". She corrects him, saying that Laren is her given name and Ro is her family name. She is then referred to as "Ensign Ro". Over the course of her several appearances in "The Next Generation", information is revealed about her backstory. Bajor had been under the occupation of the Cardassians during her early life, and at the age of seven she watched as one of the occupiers tortured her father to death. This led to a lifelong hatred of Cardassians.


title: Ro Laren

text: Ro joined Starfleet, and after being posted to the USS "Wellington", she formed part of an away team. During that mission, she disobeyed orders, resulting in the death of eight crewmen. She was subsequently court-martialled, and was imprisoned on Jaros II. Admiral Kennelly (Cliff Potts) later gave her a pardon and allowed her to return to Starfleet service, in return for convincing the Bajoran terrorist Orta (Jeffrey Hayenga) to call off his attacks after a raid on a Federation colony. He brings her to the USS "Enterprise" for the purpose of completing this mission.


title: Ro Laren

text: As shown in "Ensign Ro", during an away team mission to capture Orta, Ro manages to get the team taken hostage. As a result, Picard confines her to her quarters. But Picard discovers that the Bajorans were not responsible for the attack on the Federation colony, and Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg) convinces Ro to tell Picard of Kennelly's plan. Ro was under orders to offer arms to Orta, to trick him to revealing his presence so the Cardassians can destroy his vessel. At that point, Kennelly would intervene and order Picard not to intervene to keep the peace treaty with the Cardassians. Picard allows the plan to proceed, but the Cardassians destroy an empty ship before revealing that the Cardassians had staged the attack in order to enlist aid against the Bajorans. At the conclusion of the episode, Picard offers Ro a position on the crew of the "Enterprise", which she accepts.


title: Ro Laren

text: In "Disaster", Ro is one of the crew trapped on the bridge of the "Enterprise" when it undergoes a series of power failures. The ship is placed at risk of destruction because of the potential failure of the containment fields on the antimatter pods. Ro argues that they need to separate the saucer section to save those on-board it as they have no way knowing if anyone is still alive on the engineering part of the vessel. When the crew undergo group amnesia in "Conundrum", Ro and Riker act on a mutual attraction until their memories are restored. In "The Next Phase", Ro and La Forge apparently die after a transporter accident after returning from a Romulan Warbird. But they have suffered the side effects of a Romulan cloaking experiment. Ro initially questions whether or not she has died and is now in the afterlife. But together with La Forge they discover a Romulan plot and defeating a similarly cloaked Romulan operative, Ro and La Forge alert the crew and return to normal, warning Picard and averting disaster.


title: Ro Laren

text: In the episode "Rascals", Ro, Picard, Guinan and Keiko O'Brien (Rosalind Chao) are transformed into adolescent versions of themselves while retaining their adult intelligence. As children, they foil a Ferengi plot to steal the "Enterprise" and sell the crew as slave labor. In her final episode, "Preemptive Strike", Ro returns to the "Enterprise" as a Lieutenant after spending a year at Starfleet Advanced Tactical Training. During the course of the training, her commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Chakotay, resigned from Starfleet to join the Maquis when his father is killed by the Cardassians. She is asked by Starfleet to infiltrate the rebel Maquis, who are undermining the Federation treaty with Cardassia. During the mission, she finds her loyalties in conflict with her duties as she becomes increasingly sympathetic to the plight of the Maquis. Despite Picard's effort to force her to do her duty, she joins the rebel group. Riker says she seemed pretty sure she was doing the right thing, though she regretted disappointing Picard. Picard remains silent, as Ro's betrayal clearly wounded him. This is her last appearance in the Star Trek series; her subsequent fate is unknown.


title: Ro Laren

text: Ro makes a series of appearances in the non-canonical novel series based on "The Next Generation". Her first appearance is in the novel, "War Drums", by John Vorholt, published in 1992, which chronicles a mission to a planet called Selva, and Ro plays a major role. Also included is an expansion on her background and early life in the book "Night of the Wolves" by S. D. Perry and Britta Dennison. The events of the away mission while she was serving on the USS "Wellington" were shown in the second special issue of DC Comics' "" series. Ro's career with the Maquis is also chronicled in the novels. In "Rogue Saucer", she is responsible for planning out the attack on the "Enterprise" in which the Maquis steal a prototype saucer section. Ro appears in the novel "Tunnel Through the Stars", set during the events of the Dominion War. Ro and the remaining Maquis join forces with Picard and the USS "Enterprise"-E to defeat the Dominion forces that are attempting to build an artificial wormhole to bypass the one near Deep Space Nine.


title: Ro Laren

text: She began to appear in the beginning with the two-part "Avatar" by Perry. The relaunch novels show the events that occur after the final episode of the television series. In "Avatar", Ro enlists in the Bajoran Militia with the rank of Lieutenant, and is assigned to Deep Space Nine as the new Security Chief under the command of Colonel Kira. This move for Ro is also chronicled in the background to the massively multiplayer online role-playing game "Star Trek Online".


title: Ro Laren

text: In "Twilight" by David R. George III, the first part of the "Mission: Gamma" mini-series, Quark and Ro start to develop romantic feelings for each other. In Perry's "Unity", Ro re-joins Starfleet after Bajor joins the Federation and its military forces are merged. She is initially apprehensive about the prospect, but is convinced to accept a pardon for her time with the Maquis by Picard. Over time, Ro was promoted to captain and as of the "" series of books, is in command of the new Deep Space Nine following the destruction of the original at the hands of a rogue element of the . Ro was also one of the characters included at launch in the strategy video game "Star Trek Timelines" by Disruptor Beam.


title: Ro Laren

text: An unproduced script to "Star Trek: Voyager" was to have had a flashback and revealed that Tom Paris and Ro had attended Starfleet Academy together.


title: Ro Laren

text: The Bajorans have been described as analogues for a variety of displaced peoples, with "Star Trek" novelist Keith DeCandido comparing them to "Palestinians, Jews, Kurds, Haitians; the sad reality is that you can pretty much pick and choose. History is full of people who have had their homes taken from them, forced to become refugees." The Cardassian occupation of Bajor (the Bajoran homeworld) has been compared to the Holocaust, with Ro singled out as a Holocaust survivor. In his chapter "Speakers for the Dead: "Star Trek", the Holocaust, and the Representation of Atrocity" within the book "Star Trek as Myth", writer Matthew Wilheim Kapell compared the experiences and reactions of Ro Laren and Kira Nerys following the Cardassian occupation of Bajor. He said that the impact on Ro represented the "non-american view of the holocaust" in that she does not fully recover from the trauma and continues to affect in, for example preventing her from connecting with her religious beliefs in "The Next Phase". He explains that Kira is a far more "Americanize[d]" character, acting as a "resister and even liberator" during the occupation. As a result, unlike Ro, Kira retains her religious beliefs and does not typically show any ongoing emotional trauma. Further commentary of Ro's relationship to religion have been made. In "The Literary Galaxy of Star Trek", James F. Broderick compared the situation in which Ro and La Forge are trapped out of phase in "The Next Phase" to that of the purgatory dweller in Dante Alighieri's "Inferno".


title: Ro Laren

text: When reviewing "Ensign Ro" for Tor.com, DeCandido described Michelle Forbes as "stellar" and called Ro "one of "TNG"'s best recurring characters". He also added that the character was "a bit of piss and vinegar to add to the syrupy mix of homogeneity that the TNG cast tends to be". In his review of "Preemptive Strike", he said that the Ro character arc "comes full circle: once again making a decision that puts her on the outs with Starfleet." He praised Forbes again, saying that she "inhabits the character so completely, from her awkwardness at the reception in her honor to her playing the role of rebel, to her pain at thinking about her father... to her decision to betray Starfleet and the Enterprise." He did criticise the episode for not wrapping up the Riker-Ro relationship in the same way that closure had been given to her friendship with Picard. Zack Handlen reviewed "Ensign Ro" for The A.V. Club, and described Ro as "terrific" and said that the role represented "one of the rare times that "TNG" has managed to have a frustrated character who doesn't immediately seem overly hateful or falsely confrontational". But he criticized the manner in which her opinion changed to be more favourable of Picard and the "Enterprise", as he felt that Guinan's intervention was detrimental to the plot.


title: Ro Laren

text: Ro Laren has placed in several polls featuring the characters of the franchise over the course of several years. In a list of the strongest female characters on the official "Star Trek" website by Jordan Hoffman in 2012, Ro Laren was placed second behind Edith Keeler from the "" episode "The City on the Edge of Forever". He said that Ro was one of the "richest figures in "Trek"", and wished to be able to see an alternative timeline where Forbes had accepted the main cast position on "Deep Space Nine". A poll at the Creation Entertainment official "Star Trek" convention in 2013, conducted by Hoffman, placed Ro Laren as the fifth most popular recurring character among fans, behind Elim Garak, Q, Gul Dukat and General Martok. Hoffman expressed a view that he had expected her to place higher in the rankings, due to the number of her vocal supporters, however she also had many booing her. On a poll run on the official "Star Trek" website in 2014 regarding the fans' favourite supporting character, Ro came eighth out of ten. In 2015, she was included in a list of the 21 "most interesting" supporting characters in the franchise by Lisa Granshaw at Blastr. Granshaw called Ro "a complicated, strong character", and said her "different layers and motivations made her a great character to watch interact with the loyal crew of the "Enterprise"."


title: Ro Laren

text: In 2016, the character of Ro Laren was ranked as the 54th most important character of Starfleet within the "Star Trek" science fiction universe by Wired magazine. In 2016, ScreenRant rated Ro Laren as the 15th best character in "Star Trek". In 2017, "IndieWire" ranked Ro Laren as the 12th best character on "Star Trek: The Next Generation".


title: Ro Laren

text: In 2018, CBR ranked Ro Laren the 15th best recurring character of all Star Trek. They point out she was the first Bajoran alien presented in Star Trek and might have ended up as a character on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: "Old Time Rock and Roll" is a song written by George Jackson and Thomas E. Jones III, with uncredited lyrics by Bob Seger. It was recorded by Seger for his tenth studio album "Stranger in Town." It was also released as a single in 1979. It is a sentimentalized look back at the music of the original rock 'n' roll era and has often been referenced as Seger's favorite song. The song gained renewed popularity after being featured in the 1983 film "Risky Business". It has since become a standard in popular music and was ranked number two on the Amusement & Music Operators Association's survey of the Top 40 Jukebox Singles of All Time in 1996. It was also listed as one of the Songs of the Century in 2001 and ranked No. 100 in the American Film Institute's 100 Years...100 Songs poll in 2004 of the top songs in American cinema.


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, who often backed Seger in his studio recordings, sent Seger a demo of the song during the recording of "Stranger in Town". He said in 2006 (and also on the "Stranger in Town" episode of the US radio show "In the Studio with Redbeard" a few years earlier):


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: All I kept from the original was: "Old time rock and roll, that kind of music just soothes the soul, I reminisce about the days of old with that old time rock and roll". I rewrote the verses and I never took credit. That was the dumbest thing I ever did. And Tom Jones (Thomas E. Jones) and George Jackson know it, too. But I just wanted to finish the record ["Stranger in Town"]. I rewrote every verse you hear except for the choruses. I didn't ask for credit. My manager said: "You should ask for a third of the credit." And I said: "Nah. Nobody's gonna like it." I'm not credited on it so I couldn't control the copyright either. Meanwhile, it got into a Hardee's commercial because I couldn't control it. Oh my God, it was awful!


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: "Old Time Rock and Roll" is truly [George] Jackson's song, and he has the tapes to prove it, despite Seger's claims that he altered it. Bob had pretty much finished his recording at Muscle Shoals and he asked them if they had any other songs he could listen to for the future.


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: At the close of the decade, in December 2019, Seger restated his assertion that he rewrote the lyrics in the verses.


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: The song was recorded at the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama, and Sound Suite Studios in Detroit, Michigan. The guitar solo was contributed by Howie McDonald. Originally, the Silver Bullet Band was displeased with the song's inclusion on "Stranger in Town", claiming, according to Seger, that the song was not "Silver Bullety". However, upon hearing audience reactions to it during their tour in Europe, the band grew to like the song.


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: In 1990, Seger joined Billy Joel on one occasion and Don Henley on another to play the song during their concerts in Auburn Hills, Michigan. He also performed the song at his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: "Old Time Rock and Roll" achieved substantial album-oriented rock radio airplay and as the fourth single from "Stranger in Town", it reached number 28 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 in 1979. It was re-released in 1983 after its inclusion in the film "Risky Business" and reached number 48 on the "Billboard" chart. The song remains a staple on classic rock radio.


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: "Billboard Magazine" felt that the song's highlights are Seger's "rough-edged vocals and the power charged instrumentation." "Cash Box" said it is "a piece of infectious raucous joy" that is a highlight of Seger's concerts.


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: In Australia, the song was released twice and charted for a total of 55 weeks. The first run was in 1983 after its use in the film "Risky Business", reaching number 53 on the charts. The second run saw it reach number 3 in late 1987.


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: Singer Johnny Hallyday released a French-language version, as "Le Bon Temps du Rock and Roll" in 1979 on his album "Hollywood".


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: Pop singer Ronnie Dove recorded the song in 1987. It was issued as the B side to his single "Heart". It later appeared on his 1988 album "From the Heart".


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: In 2000, the British rock band Status Quo recorded a version of this song for their album "Famous in the Last Century". They played it on "Top of the Pops" and released it as a single which charted in the UK Singles Chart (No. 83) and Norway (No. 4).


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: The song was featured in the 1983 film "Risky Business", starring Tom Cruise. Cruise's character, Joel Goodson, famously lip-syncs and dances in his underwear as this song plays after his parents leave him home alone. In 1986, the song was also featured in the TV series "ALF", in a caricature of the aforementioned Tom Cruise scene, in which Alf has similarly been left home alone and trashes the house. Activision created a series of "" television commercials directed by Brett Ratner based on the scene, each featuring a different set of celebrities lip-syncing to the lyrics while using the new instrument controllers. The first ad included athletes Kobe Bryant, Tony Hawk, Alex Rodriguez, and Michael Phelps. The song is also featured in episodes of "The Nanny", "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", "South Park", "Scrubs", and "The Flash". Steve Harrington briefly sang it in an episode of season 1 of the Netflix television series "Stranger Things". It was also used in the teaser trailer for "".


title: Old Time Rock and Roll

text: In early 2020, the song was featured in a Domino's Pizza commercial about contactless delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.


title: Neo-Inca State

text: The Neo-Inca State, also known as the Neo-Inca state of Vilcabamba, was the Inca state established in 1537 at Vilcabamba by Manco Inca Yupanqui (the son of Inca emperor Huayna Capac). It is considered a rump state of the Inca Empire (1438–1533), which collapsed after the Spanish conquest in the mid-1530s. The Neo-Inca State lasted until 1572, when the last Inca stronghold was conquered, and the last ruler, Túpac Amaru (Manco's son), was captured and executed, thus ending the political authority of the Inca state.


title: Neo-Inca State

text: The Vilcabamba region had been part of the Inca Empire since the reign of Pachacuti (1438–1471). During the Spanish conquest of Peru, Túpac Huallpa was a puppet ruler crowned by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro. After his death, Manco Inca Yupanqui joined Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro in Cajamarca. When Pizarro's force arrived in Cusco, he had the "caciques" acknowledge Manco as their Inca. Manco Inca then joined Almagro and Hernando de Soto in pursuit of Quizquiz.


title: Neo-Inca State

text: When Pizarro left Cuzco with Almagro and Manco Inca, for Jauja in pursuit of Quizquiz, Francisco left his younger brothers Gonzalo Pizarro and Juan Pizarro as regidores, and a ninety-man garrison in the city. The Pizarro brothers so mistreated Manco Inca that he ultimately tried to escape in 1535. He failed, and was captured and imprisoned. Hernando Pizarro released him to recover a golden statue of his father Huayana Capac. Only accompanied by two Spaniards, he easily escaped a second time. Manco then gathered an army of 100,000 Inca warriors and laid siege to Cusco in early 1536, taking advantage of Diego de Almagro's absence. After ten months (see the Siege of Cuzco), Manco retreated to the nearby fortress of Ollantaytambo in 1537. Here Manco repelled attacks by the Spaniards in the Battle of Ollantaytambo.


title: Neo-Inca State

text: Manco coordinated his siege of Cusco with one on Lima, led by one of his captains, Quiso Yupanqui. The Incans were able to defeat four relief expeditions sent by Francisco Pizarro from Lima. This resulted in the death of nearly 500 Spanish soldiers. Some Spaniards were captured and sent to Ollantaytambo. However, with the Spaniards' position consolidated by Almagro's reinforcements, Manco Inca decided that Ollantaytambo was too close to Cusco to be tenable so he withdrew further west. Abandoning Ollantaytambo (and effectively giving up the highlands of the empire), Manco Inca retreated to Vitcos and finally to the remote jungles of Vilcabamba.


title: Neo-Inca State

text: At Vilcabamba the state known as the Neo-Inca State was established by Manco, and Vilcabamba became the capital of the state until the death of Tupaq Amaru in 1572. From there, he continued his attacks against the Wankas (one of the most important allies of the Spaniards), having some success after fierce battles, and to the highlands of present-day Bolivia, where after many battles his army was defeated. After many guerrilla battles in the mountainous regions of Vilcabamba, Manco was murdered in 1544 by supporters of Diego de Almagro who had previously assassinated Francisco Pizarro and who were in hiding under Manco's protection. They in turn were all killed by Manco's soldiers.


title: Neo-Inca State

text: Manco was succeeded by his son Sayri Túpac (Sayri Tupaq). He was five years old at the time. He became Inca in Vilcabamba, reigning for ten years with the aid of regents. This was a time of peace with the Spanish. Viceroy Pedro de la Gasca offered to provide Sayri Túpac with lands and houses in Cuzco if he would emerge from the isolated Vilcabamba. Sayri Túpac accepted, but during the preparations his relative Paullu Inca suddenly died. This was taken as a bad omen (or a sign of Spanish treachery), and Sayri Túpac remained in Vilcabamba. In 1557 Sayri Túpac did agree to leave Vilcabamba and traveled to Viceroy Hurtado in Lima. Sayri Túpac renounced his claim to the Inca Empire and accepted baptism, as Diego. In return he received a full pardon, the title of Prince of Yucay, and great estates with rich revenues. He became resident in Yucay, a day's journey northeast of Cuzco. Significantly, he left behind the royal red fringe, symbol of his authority.


title: Neo-Inca State

text: In 1561, Sayri Túpac died suddenly, and his half-brother Titu Cusi Yupanqui took control of Vilcabamba and the Inca resistance to the Spanish. During his rule at Vilcabamba, the provisional governor-general Lope Garcia de Castro wanted to negotiate with him. The negotiations were about Cusi leaving the Vilcabamba and accepting a Crown pension. After negotiations escalated, around 1568, Titi Cusi was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church, as Diego de Castro.


title: Neo-Inca State

text: Túpac Amaru became the Inca ruler after Titu Cusi's sudden death in 1571. At this time the Spanish were still unaware of the death of the previous Sapa Inca (Titu Cusi) and had routinely sent two ambassadors to continue ongoing negotiations being held with Titu Cusi. They were both killed on the border by an Inca captain. Using the justification that the Incas had "broken the inviolate law observed by all nations of the world regarding ambassadors" the new Viceroy, Francisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa, decided to attack and conquer Vilcabamba. He declared war against the Neo-Inca State on April 14, 1572.


title: Neo-Inca State

text: Within two weeks after the declaration of war a small party of Spanish soldiers had captured a key bridge on the border of the Neo-Inca State, from which Toledo assembled his army. On June 1, the first engagement of the war commenced in the Vilcabamba valley. The Inca initially attacked with high morale, despite being poorly equipped. Repeatedly, the Inca attempted to lift the siege held by the Spanish and their native allies but were forced to retreat. On June 23 the fort of Huayna Pucará surrendered to Spanish artillery fire. The Inca army now in retreat opted to abandon their last city and head for the jungle to regroup. On June 24 the Spanish entered Vilcabamba to find it deserted and the "Sapa Inca" gone. The city had been entirely destroyed and the Neo-Inca State officially ceased to exist. Túpac Amaru was later captured and executed by the Spanish.


title: Neo-Inca State

text: The Inca military was swift in adopting European weaponry; many warriors captured helmets, shields, and swords during the initial clashes with the Europeans and quickly learned how to utilize them. In marked contrast to some other Native American cultures, such as the Aztecs, the Incas were also eager to master weaponry which was wholly "alien" to them. As early as 1537, when Manco Inca defeated the Spanish at Pilcosuni, they came into possession of more advanced Spanish weapons, including arquebuses, artillery, and crossbows. By the later stages of the Siege of Cusco, the Spaniards were already reporting that the Inca warriors were using captured firearms as well as horses with some proficiency. Manco Inca even forced captured Europeans to refine gunpowder for his army. The Incas also tried to adopt some European battle tactics: On at least one occasion, a group of Inca warriors formed a tight unit in combat, based on the teachings of a captured Spaniard, and used their bows, slings, and darts in a way to achieve more rapid fire. In 1538, Manco Inca was recorded to be skilled enough to ride a horse into battle; by this point, he and three of his nobles were recorded as carrying out a cavalry charge which destroyed a 30-men strong Spanish infantry contingent. However, the Incas' skill in using some modern weaponry was still lacking at this point, and chronicler Pedro Pizarro reported that Inca arquebusiers often misfired. In the 1536–1538 battles between the Incas and the Spanish, the captured weaponry made no tangible difference.


title: Neo-Inca State

text: In the early 1540s, several Spanish refugees would teach Incan warriors how to use Spanish weapons to their full potential. Overall, it took the Incas approximately two decades to bridge the technological gap with the Spanish. By the 1560s, it was recorded that many Incans had developed considerable skill in utilizing arquebuses and riding horses.


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: Danielle Simone Bradbery (born July 23, 1996) is an American country pop singer. She won season 4 of NBC's "The Voice" in 2013, becoming the youngest artist to win the competition at age 16. Since then, she has released two albums and multiple singles.


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: Bradbery's debut studio album, "Danielle Bradbery", was released on November 25, 2013. Her second album, "I Don't Believe We've Met", was released on December 1, 2017. Most recently, Bradberry has released "Break My Heart Again" and "Never Have I Ever - Yo Nunca He . . ." with KURT, her first bilingual single.


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: Bradbery was born on July 23, 1996 in Houston, Texas to parents Danny Bradbery and Gloria Redden Martinez but moved to Cypress. She attended Cypress Ranch High School.


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: During the blind auditions of "The Voice" on March 25, 2013, Bradbery performed Taylor Swift's "Mean", prompting Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Usher to turn their chairs. Bradbery then chose Shelton and remained on his team. At the Battle rounds, Bradbery faced Caroline Glaser where they sang the song "Put Your Records On", Bradbery was chosen over Glaser, in the process advanced to the Knockout rounds. During the Knockouts, Bradbery sang "Jesus Take The Wheel" against Taylor Beckham in which Blake selected her to remain in the competition, sending home Beckham. During the Top 16 show, she sang "Maybe It Was Memphis" and was voted through by America into the next week. The following week, the country singer sang a rendition of Carrie Underwood's song "Wasted." During the Top 10 playoffs, Bradbery sang a rendition of "Heads Carolina, Tails California", which became the first song of the season, and only song of that round, to reach the iTunes top 10 charts.


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: During the Top 8, Bradbery sang a rendition of "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Ol' Days)." In the Top 6, she sang Pam Tillis' "Shake the Sugar Tree" chosen by coach Blake Shelton. That week, she also sang Sara Evans' "A Little Bit Stronger," ending the song with a high note through the final "stronger" and "yeah" run. During the Top 5, Bradbery sang "Please Remember Me" and "Who I Am" which reached 6 and 4 spots respectively on the iTunes top 10 charts. During "Who I Am," she walked out through the audience to sing beside her parents and stepmother. At the finals, Bradbery sang the song "Timber, I'm Falling in Love" along with her coach Blake Shelton, she also re-sang the song "Maybe It Was Memphis" which reached the iTunes top 10 charts and sang the song "Born to Fly" before she was announced as the winner of season four of "The Voice". She had the most peak positions and most singles to reach the top 10 on iTunes during the season. Overall, she had more iTunes downloads than any other contestant in the show's history. At age 16, Bradbery was the youngest winner of "The Voice" at the time. This record was later eclipsed by Sawyer Fredericks (who won Season Eight at age 16), and later by Brynn Cartelli (who won season 14 at age 15).


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: On June 19, 2013, the day after Bradbery won "The Voice," she was signed to a record deal with Big Machine Records. Her debut single, "The Heart of Dixie," was released on July 16, 2013. Bradbery's first studio album, self-titled "Danielle Bradbery", was released November 25, 2013. On September 14, 2013, Bradbery performed on the WGTY Great Country Radio stage at the York Fair and sang four songs from her upcoming album, which were "Young in America", "Dance Hall", "Never Like This" and "Daughter of a Working Man". Bradbery made her Grand Ole Opry debut on the historic stage of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on November 12. Along with her Opry debut, Bradbery was the supporting act on Brad Paisley‘s Beat This Summer Tour. On November 17, 2013, Bradbery sang the national anthem at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. Her song "My Day" was featured in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics as she was chosen to be "the voice" of the Games' promotional campaign that partners NBC Olympics with "The Voice".


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: Bradbery joined Hunter Hayes as a special guest on his We're Not Invisible Tour starting March 20, 2014.


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: In a recent interview with Naked Mag, Bradbery confirmed she is writing songs for her second album and was hoping to release it sometime in 2015.


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: She took it to her Twitter account on August 23, 2015 that she would be releasing the first single from her second studio album "Friend Zone" on August 28, 2015. The song never had an official terrestrial radio release and was a "buzz" single.


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: In 2017, Bradbery finally released a song called "Sway" as a single. It debuted at No. 46 on the "Billboard" country chart the week on June 14 and it officially impacted country radio on August 28, 2017. She also shifted to Big Machine's BMLG imprint to accompany the release. On August 4, 2017, Bradbery announced that "Sway" would be the lead single off her upcoming second album, "I Don't Believe We've Met", which was released on December 1, 2017. "Worth It" was the second single. Finally, "Goodbye Summer" was re-recorded as a music video with Thomas Rhett, with whom she released the single "Playing with Fire." She, Thomas Rhett, and Nick Jonas sang "Closer" at the CMA awards.


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: In 2018, she focused on recording covers for her fans, including "Psycho," "Slow Burn," and "God is a Woman," as well as "Set Fire to the Rain" and others. She also recorded "Make You Mine" with PUBLIC.


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: In 2019, she appeared on the "", contributing the song "Blackout". On May 8, she released the song "Never Have I Ever", based on her partner. She released a music video with Parker McCollum, a cover of "Shallow," and recorded "Hometown" with Zac Brown.


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: Bradbery cites Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Martina McBride as her musical influences.


title: Danielle Bradbery

text: On October 12, 2013, Bradbery performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at the Eighth Annual Tradition of Hope Gala to support MDA's Augie's Quest which has the sole purpose of finding a cure for ALS. She also performed at the Girls & Guitars charity concert to benefit the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. Bradbery and many other country stars signed a Honey Nut Cheerios box to be auctioned off for charity Outnumber Hunger. The charity's purpose is stop hunger in the U.S.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: The Red Hand Commando (RHC) is a small Ulster loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland that is closely linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). Its aim was to combat Irish republicanism – particularly the Irish Republican Army (IRA) – and to maintain Northern Ireland's status as part of the United Kingdom. The Red Hand Commando carried out shootings and bombings, primarily targeting Catholic civilians. As well as allowing other loyalist groupings to claim attacks in their name, the organisation has also allegedly used the cover names "Red Branch Knights" and "Loyalist Retaliation and Defence Group". It is named after the Red Hand of Ulster, and is unique among loyalist paramilitaries for its use of an Irish language motto, "Lamh Dearg Abu", meaning 'red hand to victory'.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: Writing in early 1973, Martin Dillon characterized the Red Hand Commando thus: "the composition of this group was highly selective, and it was very secret in its operations. Its membership was composed in the main of Protestant youths – the Tartans who roamed the streets at night looking for trouble. These youths longed for action, and (the group founder John) McKeague let them have it."


title: Red Hand Commando

text: The Red Hand Commando was the only major loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland not to have its ranks heavily penetrated by a so-called supergrass or informant during the early 1980s; this was attributed to the group's secrecy (described as an "enigma") and opaque structure. However an alleged senior member of the organisation from East Belfast was charged with membership in 1983 after boasting to UVF man (and later supergrass) John Gibson that he was second-in-command in the area.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: The RHC is a Proscribed Organisation in the United Kingdom under the Terrorism Act 2000. The Red Hand Commando made a failed application in September 2017 to be removed from the list of proscribed organisations in the UK.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: Much of the group's past is unknown. The RHC was formed in June 1970 among loyalists in the Shankill area of west Belfast, by John McKeague (who was also involved with Tara), William "Plum" Smith and colleagues from the Shankill Defence Association. Membership was high in the Shankill, east Belfast, Sandy Row and Newtownabbey areas as well as in parts of County Down. A cell was also allegedly based in County Tyrone, near Castlederg. The RHC agreed in 1972 to become an integral part of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). It kept its own structures but in operational matters agreed to share weapons and personnel and often carried out attacks in the name of the UVF. It was proscribed by William Whitelaw, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on 12 November 1973. According to Jim Wilson, chairman of the Reach Programme with association of the Red Hand Commando, the RHC numbered well over one thousand members during its campaign, and as of 2017 membership numbers were in the small hundreds who are engaged in community work.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: A number of senior Red Hand Commando members played an integral part in the formation of the Progressive Unionist Party in 1979. The beginnings of the party were in the compounds of Long Kesh, where members such as William Smith and Winston Churchill Rea joined members of the UVF in taking a new political direction.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: Following the group's formation in 1970, RHC attacks usually took the form of random drive-by shootings targeting assumed Catholic civilians and no-warning bombs left at social spots (e.g. pubs) the group believed to be frequented by Catholics. The RHC also claimed responsibility for a number of killings in the Republic of Ireland in 1975 and 1976. During the 1980s Loyalist paramilitary violence had dropped significantly from its height in the mid-1970s, and the RHC wasn't implicated in any killings for several years. The organisation was reportedly considered "extinct" by 1988, although it was also described as "largely intact" and capable of violence in 1984. However Loyalist paramilitary activity generally began to increase following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement and in 1988 the RHC was tied to at least two attempted murders. The group routinely used cover names during the first years of this resurgence in activity but later opted to claim attacks under the RHC title. RHC violence intensified in the years leading up to the 1994 Loyalist ceasefire, although never claiming as many victims as it did in the 1970s.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: According to the Sutton database of deaths at the University of Ulster's CAIN project, the RHC has allegedly killed 13 people, including 12 civilians, and one of its own members. However, as a satellite grouping of the UVF, attacks carried out by the RHC have been in some cases attributed to the UVF; per other sources the RHC has killed at least 40 people.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: In October 1994, the Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC) declared a ceasefire on behalf of all loyalist paramilitary groups. The RHC, along with all major Loyalist groups, supported the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and maintained a ceasefire from 1994 until (arguably) 2005. On 3 May 2007, the RHC declared it was officially ending its armed campaign, following recent negotiations between the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and with Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde. The RHC made a statement that it would transform to a "non-military, civilianised" organisation. This was to take effect from midnight. It also stated that it would retain its weaponry but put them beyond reach of normal volunteers. Its weapon stockpiles were to be retained under the watch of the RHC leadership.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: Following a direct engagement with all the units and departments of our organisation, the leadership of the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando today make public the outcome of our three year consultation process.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: We do so against a backdrop of increasing community acceptance that the mainstream republican offensive has ended; that the six principles upon which our ceasefire was predicated are maintained; that the principle of consent has been firmly established and thus, that the union remains safe.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: We welcome recent developments in securing stable, durable democratic structures in Northern Ireland and accept as significant, support by the mainstream republican movement of the constitutional status quo.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: Commensurate with these developments, as of 12 midnight, Thursday 3 May 2007, the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando will assume a non-military, civilianised, role.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: To consolidate this fundamental change in outlook we have addressed the methodology of transformation from military to civilian organisation by implementing the following measures in every operational and command area.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: All recruitment has ceased; military training has ceased; targeting has ceased and all intelligence rendered obsolete; all active service units have been de-activated; all ordinance has been put beyond reach and the IICD instructed accordingly.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: We encourage our volunteers to embrace the challenges which continue to face their communities and support their continued participation in non-military capacities.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: We reaffirm our opposition to all criminality and instruct our volunteers to cooperate fully with the lawful authorities in all possible instances.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: Moreover, we state unequivocally, that any volunteer engaged in criminality does so in direct contravention of brigade command and thus we welcome any recourse through due process of law.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: All volunteers are further encouraged to show support for credible restorative justice projects so that they, with their respective communities, may help to eradicate criminality and anti-social behaviour in our society.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: We ask the government to facilitate this process and remove the obstacles which currently prevent our volunteers and their families from assuming full and meaningful citizenship.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: We call on all violent dissidents to desist immediately and urge all relevant governments and their security apparatus to deal swiftly and efficiently with this threat.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: We have taken the above measures in an earnest attempt to augment the return of accountable democracy to the people of Northern Ireland and as such, to engender confidence that the constitutional question has now been firmly settled.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: In doing so we reaffirm the legitimacy of our tactical response to violent nationalism yet reiterate the sincere expression of abject and true remorse to all innocent victims of the conflict.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: Brigade command salutes the dedication and fortitude of officers, NCOs, and volunteers throughout the difficult, brutal years of armed resistance.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: We reflect with honour on those from our organisation who made the ultimate sacrifice; those who endured long years of incarceration and the loyal families who shared their suffering and supported them throughout.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: Finally, we convey our appreciation for their honest forthright exchange with officers, NCOs and volunteers throughout the organisation over the past three years which has allowed us to assume with confidence the position we adopt today.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) stated that this statement was "unacceptable." In June 2009, after talks with the IICD, it was announced that the RHC and UVF had decommissioned their weapons before independent witnesses.


title: Red Hand Commando

text: The group is noted for using an Irish language motto, "Lámh Dearg Abú" (Victory to the Red Hand) as opposed to a Latin motto like most other Loyalist groups.


title: 2002 Florida gubernatorial election

text: The 2002 Florida gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002 for the post of Governor of Florida. Incumbent Republican governor Jeb Bush defeated Democratic candidate Bill McBride. Bush became the first Republican governor of Florida to win re-election to a second term. This election was the last time until 2022 a Florida gubernatorial candidate won the general election by double digits.


title: 2002 Florida gubernatorial election

text: Jeb Bush announced that he would run for re-election in June 2001 after first being elected in 1998. Bush was unopposed for the GOP nomination, and spent the summer amassing a war chest of over $5.6 million towards his re-election campaign.


title: 2002 Florida gubernatorial election

text: Reno led throughout much of the campaign for the Democratic nomination, boasting name recognition and employing a grassroots strategy. In early June, she led McBride in the polls by a margin of 53%-25%, but trailed in a hypothetical head-to-head against Bush. Reno's primary campaign was dubbed the "Little red pickup truck tour", so-named because she toured the state in her 1999 Ford Ranger.


title: 2002 Florida gubernatorial election

text: Over the summer, Reno's lead dwindled. McBride, backed by big money donors, was able to exploit Reno's paltry war chest, and sometime aloof campaign. Reno's connections to the Clinton Administration, and her handling of both the Waco siege and the Elián González affair were frequent topics in the primary.


title: 2002 Florida gubernatorial election

text: Reno disputed the results after the primary was marred by problems. Several areas had technical glitches and delayed openings of the poll especially in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, both of which Reno performed strongly in. As a result of the problems, Governor Bush kept the polls open for two additional hours.


title: 2002 Florida gubernatorial election

text: McBride's campaign focused on the importance of public education, supporting policies such as teacher pay rises and less emphasis on standardized tests. McBride was helped towards the end of the campaign by visits from national Democratic figures such as former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore and Jesse Jackson. Though McBride himself did not make the topic an issue of his campaign, nationwide Democrats saw the race as an opportunity to avenge Al Gore's controversial loss in Florida during the 2000 presidential election and the subsequent recount. Likewise Republicans saw this race a preview of 2004.


title: 2002 Florida gubernatorial election

text: President George W. Bush made numerous visits to Florida to support his brother for re-election. Bush had a strong fundraising advantage over McBride in what was seen as one of the pivotal races in the 2002 midterm elections. Republican adverts targeted McBride as a failed lawyer and as a tax and spender.


title: 2002 Florida gubernatorial election

text: The two main candidates faced each other in two debates on 27 September and 22 October in the most expensive Florida gubernatorial election yet. Polls towards the end of the campaign showed Bush with a lead over McBride. Department of Justice observers were stationed at some of the polls, but unlike the problems during the 2000 presidential election and the Democratic primary, voting went smoothly.


title: 2002 Florida gubernatorial election

text: At the same time as the election an initiative was passed to limit class sizes. This had been opposed by Bush due to the cost of implementing it, but had been supported by McBride.


title: Liliaceae

text: The lily family, Liliaceae, consists of about 15 genera and 610 species of flowering plants within the order Liliales. They are monocotyledonous, perennial, herbaceous, often bulbous geophytes. Plants in this family have evolved with a fair amount of morphological diversity despite genetic similarity. Common characteristics include large flowers with parts arranged in threes: with six colored or patterned petaloid tepals (undifferentiated petals and sepals) arranged in two whorls, six stamens and a superior ovary. The leaves are linear in shape, with their veins usually arranged parallel to the edges, single and arranged alternating on the stem, or in a rosette at the base. Most species are grown from bulbs, although some have rhizomes. First described in 1789, the lily family became a paraphyletic "catch-all" (wastebasket) group of lilioid monocots that did not fit into other families and included a great number of genera now included in other families and in some cases in other orders. Consequently, many sources and descriptions labelled "Liliaceae" deal with the broader sense of the family.


title: Liliaceae

text: The family evolved approximately 68 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous to Early Paleogene epochs. Liliaceae are widely distributed, mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and the flowers are insect pollinated. Many Liliaceae are important ornamental plants, widely grown for their attractive flowers and involved in a major floriculture of cut flowers and dry bulbs. Some species are poisonous if eaten and can have adverse health effects in humans and household pets.


title: Liliaceae

text: A number of Liliaceae genera are popular cultivated plants in private and public spaces. Lilies and tulips in particular have had considerable symbolic and decorative value, and appear frequently in paintings and the decorative arts. They are also an economically important product. Most of their genera, "Lilium" in particular, face considerable herbivory pressure from deer in some areas, both wild and domestic.


title: Liliaceae

text: The diversity of characteristics complicates any description of the Liliaceae morphology, and confused taxonomic classification for centuries. The diversity is also of considerable evolutionary significance, as some members emerged from shaded areas and adapted to a more open environment (see Evolution).


title: Liliaceae

text: The Liliaceae are characterised as monocotyledonous, perennial, herbaceous, bulbous (or rhizomatous in the case of Medeoleae) flowering plants with simple trichomes (root hairs) and contractile roots. The flowers may be arranged (inflorescence) along the stem, developing from the base, or as a single flower at the tip of the stem, or as a cluster of flowers. They contain both male (androecium) and female (gynoecium) characteristics and are symmetric radially, but sometimes as a mirror image. Most flowers are large and colourful, except for Medeoleae. Both the petals and sepals are usually similar and appear as two concentric groups (whorls) of 'petals', that are often striped or multi-coloured, and produce nectar at their bases. The stamens are usually in two groups of three (trimerous) and the pollen has a single groove (monosulcate). The ovary is placed above the attachment of the other parts (superior). There are three fused carpels (syncarpus) with one to three chambers (locules), a single style and a three-lobed stigma. The embryo sac is of the "Fritillaria" type. The fruit is generally a wind dispersed capsule, but occasionally a berry (Medeoleae) which is dispersed by animals. The leaves are generally simple and elongated with veins parallel to the edges, arranged singly and alternating on the stem, but may form a rosette at the base of the stem.


title: Liliaceae

text: Characteristics often vary by habitat, between shade-dwelling genera (such as "Prosartes", "Tricyrtis", "Cardiocrinum", "Clintonia", "Medeola", "Prosartes", and "Scoliopus") and sun loving genera. Shade-dwelling genera usually have broader leaves with smooth edges and net venation, and fleshy fruits (berries) with animal-dispersed seeds, rhizomes, and small, inconspicuous flowers while genera native to sunny habitats usually have narrow, parallel-veined leaves, capsular fruits with wind-dispersed seeds, bulbs, and large, visually conspicuous flowers. (See also "Evolution").


title: Liliaceae

text: The taxonomy of the Liliaceae has a very complex history. The family was first described in the eighteenth century, and over time many other genera were added until it became one of the largest of the monocotyledon families, and also extremely diverse. Modern taxonomic systems, such as the APG which is based on phylogenetic principles using molecular biology, have redistributed many of these genera resulting in the relatively small family that is currently recognised. Consequently, there are many different accounts of the Liliaceae in the literature and older uses of the term occur commonly. To distinguish between them, the Latin terms "sensu lato" and "sensu stricto" are frequently used (together with their abbreviations, "s.l." and "s.s.") to denote the broader or stricter sense of the circumscription respectively, e.g. Liliaceae "s.s.".


title: Liliaceae

text: The family Liliaceae was described by Michel Adanson in 1763 and formally named by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in 1789. Jussieu defined this grouping as having a calyx of six equal colored parts, six stamens, a superior ovary, single style, and a trilocular (three-chambered) capsule. By 1845, John Lindley, the first English systematist, unhappily acknowledged the great diversity in the circumscription of the family, and that it had expanded vastly, with many subdivisions. As he saw it, the Liliaceae were already paraphyletic ("catch-all"), being all Liliales not included in the other orders, but hoped that the future would reveal some characteristic that would group them better. He recognized 133 genera and 1200 species. By the time of the next major British classification – that of Bentham and Hooker in 1883 (published in Latin) – several of Lindley's other families had already been absorbed into the Liliaceae. Over time the family became increasingly broad and somewhat arbitrarily defined as all species of plants with six tepals and a superior ovary, eventually coming to encompass about 300 genera and 4,500 species within the order Liliales under the Cronquist system (1981). Cronquist merged the Liliaceae with the Amaryllidaceae, making this one of the largest monocotyledon families.


title: Liliaceae

text: Many other botanists echoed Lindley's earlier concerns about the phylogeny of the Liliaceae, but various schemes to divide the family gained little traction. Dahlgren (1985) suggested there were in fact forty – not one – families distributed over three orders (predominantly Liliales and Asparagales). In the context of a general review of the classification of angiosperms, the Liliaceae were subjected to more intense scrutiny. Considerable progress in plant phylogeny and phylogenetic theory enabled a phylogenetic tree to be constructed for all of the flowering plants, as elaborated by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (1998).


title: Liliaceae

text: The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) made rapid progress in establishing a modern monophyletic classification of the flowering plants by 2009. Despite establishing this relative degree of monophyly (genetic homogeneity) for the family Liliaceae, their morphology remains diverse and there exists within the Liliaceae clade or grouping, a number of subclades (subgroups). Particularly enigmatic were "Clintonia", "Medeola", "Scoliopus", and "Tricyrtis".


title: Liliaceae

text: Of the fifteen genera within the Liliaceae, the ten genera of the Lilioideae subfamily form one morphological group that is characterised by contractile bulbs and roots, and a Fritillaria-type embryo-sac (megagametophyte with four megaspores). Within the Lilioideae, "Clintonia" and the closely related "Medeola" form a subclade, and are now considered a separate tribe (Medeoleae). The other major grouping consists of the five genera constituting the Streptopoideae (including "Scoliopus") and Calochortoideae (including "Tricyrtis") subfamilies characterised by creeping rhizomes, styles which are divided at their apices, and by megagametophyte development of the "Polygonum"-type (a simple megaspore and triploid endosperm) embryo-sac.


title: Liliaceae

text: The development of a phylogenetic approach to taxonomy suggested the Liliales formed some of the earliest monocots. Molecular analysis indicates that divergence amongst the Liliales probably occurred around 82 million years ago. The closest sister family to the Liliaceae are the Smilacaceae with the Liliaceae separating 52 million years ago. Liliaceae thus arose during the late (Maastrichtian) Cretaceous to early (Paleocene) Paleogene periods. Major evolutionary clades include the Lilieae ("Lilium, Fritillaria, Nomocharis, Cardiocrinum, Notholirion") from the Himalayas about 12 mya and the Tulipeae ("Erythronium", "Tulipa", "Gagea") from East Asia at about the same time. The Medeoleae ("Clintonia" and "Medeola") may have appeared in North America but were subsequently dispersed, as may have the Streptopoideae and Calochortoideae. Liliaceae fossils have been dated to the Paleogene and Cretaceous eras in the Antarctic.


title: Liliaceae

text: The Liliaceae probably arose as shade plants, with subsequent evolution to open areas including deciduous forest in the more open autumnal period, but then a return of some species (e.g. "Cardiocrinum"). This was accompanied by a shift from rhizomes to bulbs, to more showy flowers, the production of capsular fruit and narrower parallel-veined leaves. Again, some reversal to the broader reticulate-veined leaves occurred (e.g. "Cardiocrinum").


title: Liliaceae

text: Due to the diversity of the originally broadly defined Liliaceae "s.l.", many attempts have been made to form suprageneric classifications, e.g. subfamilies and tribes. Classifications published since the use of molecular methods in phylogenetics have taken a narrower view of the Liliaceae (Liliaceae "s.s."). The Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (APweb) recognizes three subfamilies, one of which is divided into two tribes.


title: Liliaceae

text: Various authorities (e.g. ITIS 16, GRIN 27, WCSP, NCBI, DELTA ) differ on the exact number of genera included in Liliaceae "s.s.", but generally there are about fifteen to sixteen genera, depending on whether or not "Amana" is included in "Tulipa" and "Lloydia" in "Gagea".


title: Liliaceae

text: The largest genera are "Gagea" (200), "Fritillaria" (130), "Lilium" (110), and "Tulipa" (75 species), all within the tribe Lilieae.


title: Liliaceae

text: The name "Liliaceae" () comes to international scientific vocabulary from New Latin, from "Lilium", the type genus, + "-aceae", a standardized suffix for plant family names in modern taxonomy. The genus name comes from the Classical Latin word "lilium", "lily", which in turn came from the Greek "" ().


title: Liliaceae

text: The Liliaceae are widely distributed, but mainly in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The centre of diversity is from southwest Asia to China. Their distribution is diverse, mainly in plains, steppes, and alpine meadows, but also in deciduous forests, Mediterranean scrub and arctic tundra. "Tulipa" and "Gagea" provide examples of ornamental geophyte biomorphological types representing continental thermoperiodic zones (Irano-Turanian region), characterised by cessation of underground growth at high temperatures in early summer and requiring low winter temperatures for spring flowering. While some genera are shade-dwelling, such as the Medeoleae, and Streptopoideae, "Tricyrtis", and "Cardiocrinum", others prefer a more open habitat.


title: Liliaceae

text: The Liliaceae are ecologically diverse. Species of Liliaceae bloom at various times from spring to late summer. The colorful flowers produce large amounts of nectar and pollen that attract insects which pollinate them (entomophily), particularly bees and wasps (hymenopterophily), butterflies (psychophily) and moths (phalaenophily). The seeds are dispersed by wind and water. Some species (e.g. "Scoliopus", "Erythronium and Gagea") have seeds with an aril structure that are dispersed by ants (myrmecochory).


title: Liliaceae

text: The proliferation of deer populations in many areas, due to human factors such as the elimination of their animal predators and introduction to alien environments, is placing considerable herbivory pressure on many of the family's species. Fences as high as 8 feet may be required to prevent them from consuming the plants, an impractical solution for most wild areas. Those of the genus "Lilium" are particularly palatable, while species in "Fritillaria" are repellant.


title: Liliaceae

text: Liliaceae are subject to a wide variety of diseases and pests, including insects, such as thrips, aphids, beetles and flies. Also fungi, viruses and vertebrate animals such as mice and deer. An important horticultural and garden pest is the scarlet lily beetle (Japanese red lily beetle, "Lilioceris lilii") and other Lilioceris species which attack "Fritillaria" and "Lilium". "Lilium" species may be food plants for the Cosmia trapezina moth. A major pest of Tulips is the fungus, "Botrytis tulipae".


title: Liliaceae

text: Both "Lilium" and "Tulipa" are susceptible to a group of five viruses of the family "Potyviridae", specifically the potyvirus (named for "potato virus Y)" group, which includes the "tulip-breaking virus" ("TBV") and the "lily streak virus" (lily mottle virus, "LMoV") resulting in 'breaking' of the color of the flowers. The viruses are transmitted by aphids. This breaking effect was of economic importance during the tulip mania of the seventeenth century, because it appeared to be producing new varieties. In modern times tulip breeders have produced varieties that mimic the effect of the virus, without being infected. One of these varieties is known as 'Rembrandt', after the Dutch artist of that name. Contemporary tulip owners commonly had Rembrandt and other artists paint their flowers to preserve them for posterity, hence the 'broken' tulips were known as Rembrandt tulips at that time. Another modern variety is 'Princess Irene'. One of the tulip breaking viruses is also named the "Rembrandt tulip-breaking virus" (ReTBV).


title: Liliaceae

text: Many species of Lilieae (in genera "Tulipa", "Fritillaria", "Lilium", and "Erythronium") and Calochortoideae ("Calochortus" and "Tricyrtis") are grown as ornamental plants worldwide. Within these genera a wide range of cultivars have been developed by breeding and hybridisation. They are generally used in outdoor gardens and other displays, although in common with many bulbous flowering plants they are often induced to bloom indoors, particularly during the winter months. They also form a significant part of the cut flower market, in particular "Tulipa" and "Lilium".


title: Liliaceae

text: Tulips have been cultivated since at least the tenth century in Persia. Tulip production has two main markets: cut flowers and bulbs. The latter are used, in turn, to meet the demand for bulbs for parks, gardens, and home use and, secondly, to provide the necessary bulbs for cut flower production. International trade in cut flowers has an approximate total value of 11 billion euros, which provides an indication of the economic importance of this activity. The main producer of tulip bulbs is the Netherlands, a country that accounts for 87% of the global cultivated area, with approximately 12,000 hectares. Other leading producers include Japan, France and Poland. Approximately ten other countries produce commercial tulips, largely for the domestic market. By contrast, the Netherlands is the leading international producer, to the extent of 4 billion bulbs per annum. Of these, 53% are used for the cut flower market and the remainder for the dry bulb market. Of the cut flowers, 57% are used for the domestic market in the Netherlands and the remainder exported.


title: Liliaceae

text: Original "Tulipa" species can be obtained for ornamental purposes, such as "Tulipa tarda" and "Tulipa turkestanica". These are referred to as species, or botanical, tulips, and tend to be smaller plants but better at naturalising than the cultivated forms. Breeding programs have produced a wide range of tulip types, enabling blooming through a much longer season by creating early, mid- and late spring varieties. Fourteen distinct types are available in addition to botanical tulips, including Lily-flowered, Fringed, Viridiflora, and Rembrandt. In addition to blooming season, tulip varieties differ in shape and height, and exhibit a wide range of colours, both pure and in combination.


title: Liliaceae

text: The largest area of production is also the Netherland, with 76% of the global cultivated area, followed by France, Chile, Japan, the United States, New Zealand and Australia. Approximately ten countries produce lilies commercially altogether. About half of the commercial production is for cut flowers. Many of these countries export bulbs as well as supplying the domestic market. The Netherland produces about 2,200 million lily bulbs annually, of which 96% is used domestically and the remainder exported, principally within the European Union. One particularly important crop is the production of "Lilium longiflorum", whose white flowers are associated with purity and Easter.


title: Liliaceae

text: Although many "Lilium" species such as "Lilium martagon" and "Lilium candidum" can be obtained commercially, the majority of commercially available lilies represent the products of a very diverse hybridisation program, which has resulted in a separate horticultural classification, including such groupings as Asian, Oriental and Orienpet. In addition to a very wide variety of heights, lilies can be obtained in many colours and combinations of colours, and if properly selected can produce an extensive blooming season from early summer to autumn. Because of the history of Liliaceae, many species such as Watsonia (bugle lily) that were previously classified in this family bear the name 'lily' but are neither part of the genus "Lilium", or the family Liliaceae.


title: Liliaceae

text: A variety of "Fritillaria" species are used as early spring ornamental flowers. These vary from the large "Fritillaria imperialis" (crown imperial) available in a number of colours such as yellow or orange, to much smaller species such as "Fritillaria meleagris" or "Fritillaria uva-vulpis" with their chequered patterns. "Erythronium" is less common but a popular cultivar is 'Pagoda' with its sulphur yellow flowers. "Calochortus" (mariposa lily) may be sold as a mixture or as cultivars.


title: Liliaceae

text: Methods of propagation include both sexual and asexual reproduction. Commercial cultivars are usually sterile.


title: Liliaceae

text: Seeds can be used for propagation of the plant or to create hybrids and can take five to eight years to produce flowering plants. Since interspecific cross-pollination occurs, overlapping wild populations can create natural hybrids.


title: Liliaceae

text: Bulb offsets and tissue culture produce genetic clones of the parent plant and thus maintaining genetic integrity of the cultivars. Bulb offsets usually require at least a year before flowering. Commercially, plants may be propagated in vitro and then planted out to grow into plants large enough to sell.


title: Liliaceae

text: While members of the Liliaceae "s.s." have been used as food sources in humans, the bulbs of some species are poisonous to household pets (bulb toxicosis) if eaten and may cause serious complications, such as kidney failure in cats from Lilies, particularly "Lilium longiflorum" (Easter Lily). Dogs may develop less serious effects such as gastrointestinal problems and central nervous system depression. Most Fritillaria (e.g. "Fritillaria imperialis", "Fritillaria meleagris") bulbs contain poisonous neurotoxic alkaloids such as imperialin (peiminine), which may be deadly if ingested in quantity, while other species such as "Fritillaria camschatcensis" and "Fritillaria affinis" are edible. Tulips can cause skin irritation due to the presence of tuliposides and tulipalins, which are also found in the flowers, leaves and stems of "Fritillaria". These are also toxic to a variety of animals.


title: Liliaceae

text: Fritillaria extracts are used in traditional Chinese medicine under the name "chuan bei mu", and in Latin, "bulbus fritillariae cirrhosae". The bulbs of "Fritillaria roylei" have been used as antipyretics and expectorants. "Lilium" bulbs, particularly Lanzhou lily ("Lilium davidii") are used as food in China and other parts of Asia. During World War II, starvation conditions in the Netherlands ("Hongerwinter", hunger winter 1944) led to using "Tulipa" bulbs as food. "Calochortus" bulbs were eaten by Native Americans and by the Mormon settlers in Utah during starvation. Other members of the family used for food include "Clintonia" (leaves), "Medeola" (roots), "Erythronium" (corms), and "Fritillaria" (bulbs).


title: Liliaceae

text: The type genus, Lily ("Lilium"), has a long history in literature and art, and a tradition of symbolism as well as becoming a popular female name, and a floral emblem, particularly of France (fleur-de-lis). The cultivation of lilies has been described since at least the ninth century, when Charlemagne ordered it to be grown at his imperial palaces. However, the name 'lily' has historically been applied to a wide variety of plants other than the genus "Lilium".


title: Liliaceae

text: The lily appears in ancient literature associated with both sovereignty and virginal innocence, and is mentioned on a number of occasions in the Bible, such as the description in Solomon's Song of Songs (2, 1–2) ""I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women"" or the Gospel of Mathew (6, 28) ""Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin"" to represent beauty. Artistic representations can be found as far back as frescos from the second century BC, at Amnisos and Knossos. Early Christian churches, such as that of the Basilica of Sant' Apollinare in Classe were sometimes decorated with lilies. While predominantly depicted as white, those seen at Akrotiri are red lilies. The white lily has long been seen as a symbol of purity, coming to be associated with the Virgin Mary in the Middle Ages, from which came the name ‘Madonna lily’ ("Lilium candidum"). A well-known example is Leonardo da Vinci's "Annunciation" (1472–1475) in which the archangel Gabriel bears a Madonna lily. Other symbolic meanings include glory, love and birth.


title: Liliaceae

text: The stylised lily, or "fleur-de-lis" (lily flower) has long been associated with royalty, although it may originally have been derived from the form of an iris. It has also been associated with the head of a spear. Its three parts have been associated with the three classes of mediaeval society, or alternatively faith, wisdom and chivalry. Whatever its exact derivation, it has come to be associated with France and the French monarchy since the earliest Frankish kings. Consequently, it became incorporated into not only French heraldry but also into many heraldic devices in jurisdictions where there had been historic French influence, such as Quebec and New Orleans. In modern times it appears in many forms, symbolic and decorative, and can be used on compasses to indicate the direction north, as well as the Scouting movement.


title: Liliaceae

text: Tulips ("Tulipa") also have a long cultural tradition, particularly in the Islamic world. The Persian word for tulips, "lâleh" (), was borrowed into Turkish and Arabic as "lale". In Arabic letters, "lale" is written with the same letters as "Allah", and is used to denote God symbolically. Tulips became widely used in decorative motifs on tiles, fabrics, and ceramics in Islamic art and the Ottoman Empire in particular, and were revered in poetry, such as that of Omar Khayam in the twelfth century.


title: Liliaceae

text: Tulips were an essential part of the gardens of Persia, having been cultivated from the Steppes. As the Seljuks – Oghuz-Turkic leaders originated from the steppes – moved to Persia, and then west, they took tulips with them to Turkey, where many escaped cultivation and became naturalised. Today there are a number of places in Turkey called "Laleli" (‘with tulips’). Tulips first appeared in the decorative arts in Turkey in the thirteenth century and flourished under the Ottomans, in particular in the royal palaces, and was adopted by the Osmans as their symbol. Further species were collected from Persia and the spreading Ottoman Empire saw to it that tulip culture also spread. By the sixteenth century it was a national symbol, hence the designation "Tulip era", by which time they were becoming of economic importance.


title: Liliaceae

text: By 1562 the tulip trade had reached Europe with the first shipment to Antwerp, where they were mistaken for vegetables, although they had been cultivated in Portugal since 1530, and first appeared in illustration in 1559, and the first tulip flowers were seen in the Netherlands in 1625. Tulips spread rapidly across Europe in the seventeenth century, and became an important trading item, initially in France before concentrating in the Netherlands. Eventually speculative trading in tulips became so intense as to cause a financial bubble which eventually collapsed, a period known as tulip mania (tulipomania), from 1634 to 1637, similar to the Ottoman Empire's Tulip era.


title: Liliaceae

text: Nevertheless, since then the tulip has become indelibly associated with the Netherlands and all things Dutch. it was during this period that the tulipiere, a ceramic vase for growing tulips indoors was devised, and the Golden Age of Dutch Painting was replete with images of tulips. Although tulip festivals are held around the world in the spring, the most famous of these is the display at Keukenhof. One of the better-known novels on tulips is "The Black Tulip" by Alexandre Dumas, père in 1850, dealing with a contest to grow a black tulip in late seventeenth-century Haarlem.


title: Liliaceae

text: "Fritillaria" are also often used as floral emblems, for instance as the county flower of Oxfordshire, UK. "Calochortus nuttallii", the sego lily, is the official state flower of Utah.


title: History of Latvia

text: The history of Latvia began around 9000 BC with the end of the last glacial period in northern Europe. Ancient Baltic peoples arrived in the area during the second millennium BC, and four distinct tribal realms in Latvia's territory were identifiable towards the end of the first millennium AD. Latvia's principal river Daugava, was at the head of an important trade route from the Baltic region through Russia into southern Europe and the Middle East that was used by the Vikings and later Nordic and German traders.


title: History of Latvia

text: In the early medieval period, the region's peoples resisted Christianisation and became subject to attack in the Northern Crusades. Latvia's capital city Riga, founded in 1201 by Germans at the mouth of the Daugava, became a strategic base in a papally-sanctioned conquest of the area by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. It was to be the first major city of the southern Baltic and, after 1282, a principal trading centre in the Hanseatic League.


title: History of Latvia

text: By the 16th century, Baltic German dominance in Terra Mariana was increasingly challenged by other powers. Because of Latvia's strategic location and prosperous trading city of Riga, its territories were a frequent focal point for conflict and conquest between at least four major powers: the State of the Teutonic Order, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Sweden and the Russian Empire. The last period of external hegemony began in 1710, when control over Riga and parts of modern-day Latvia switched from Sweden to Russia during the Great Northern War. Under Russian control, Latvia was in the vanguard of industrialisation and the abolition of serfdom, so that by the end of the 19th century, it had become one of the most developed parts of the Russian Empire. The increasing social problems and rising discontent that this brought meant that Riga also played a leading role in the 1905 Russian Revolution.


title: History of Latvia

text: The First Latvian National Awakening began in the 1850s and continued to bear fruit after World War I when, after two years of struggle in the Latvian War of Independence, Latvia finally won sovereign independence, as recognised by Soviet Russia in 1920 and by the international community in 1921. The Constitution of Latvia was adopted in 1922. Political instability and effects of the Great Depression led to the May 15, 1934 coup d'état by Prime Minister Kārlis Ulmanis. Latvia's independence was interrupted in June–July 1940, when the country was occupied and incorporated into the Soviet Union. In 1941 it was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany, then reconquered by the Soviets in 1944–45.


title: History of Latvia

text: From the mid-1940s Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic was subject to Soviet economic control and saw considerable Russification of its peoples. However, Latvian culture and infrastructures survived and, during the period of Soviet liberalisation under Mikhail Gorbachev, Latvia once again took a path towards independence, eventually succeeding in August 1991 to be recognised by Russia the following month. Since then, under restored independence, Latvia has become a member of the United Nations, entered NATO and joined the European Union.


title: History of Latvia

text: Latvia's economy suffered greatly during the Great Recession which caused the 2008 Latvian financial crisis. Worsening economic conditions and better job opportunities in Western Europe have caused a massive Latvian emigration.


title: History of Latvia

text: The Ice Age in the territory of present-day Latvia ended 14,000–12,000 years ago. The first human settlers arrived here during the Paleolithic Age 11,000–12,000 years ago. They were hunters, who following the reindeer herds camped along the rivers and shore of the Baltic Ice Lake. As the geology of the Baltic Sea indicates, the coastline then reached further inland. The earliest tools found near Salaspils date to the late Paleolithic age, circa 12,000 years ago, and belong to the Swiderian culture.


title: History of Latvia

text: During the Mesolithic Age (9000–5400 BC) permanent settlements of hunter-gatherers were established. They hunted and fished, establishing camps near rivers and lakes; 25 settlements have been found near Lake Lubāns. These people from the Kunda culture made weapons and tools from flint, antler, bone and wood.


title: History of Latvia

text: The early Neolithic (5400–4100 BC) was marked by the beginnings of pottery-making, animal husbandry and agriculture.


title: History of Latvia

text: During the Middle Neolithic (4100–2900 BC) the Narva culture developed in the region. The inhabitants at this time were Finnic, forefathers of Livonians, who were closely related to Estonians and Finns and belonged to Pit–Comb Ware culture.


title: History of Latvia

text: At the beginning of the Late Neolithic (2900–1800 BC), present-day Latvia was settled by Balts belonging to the Corded Ware culture. They were forefathers of the Latvians, and these have inhabited most of Latvian territory since the third millennium BCE.


title: History of Latvia

text: With the introduction of iron tools during the early Iron Age (500 BC – 1st cent. BC), agriculture was greatly improved and became the dominant economic activity. Bronze, traded from foreigners since Latvia has no copper or tin, was used for making a wide variety of decorative ornaments.


title: History of Latvia

text: Starting from the Middle Iron Age (400–800 AD) the local inhabitants began to form distinct ethnic and regional identities. Baltic peoples eventually became the Curonians, Semigallians, Latgalians and Selonians, while Finnic peoples became the Livonians, Estonians and Vends; local chiefdoms emerged.


title: History of Latvia

text: At the beginning of the current era, the territory known today as Latvia became famous as a trading crossroads. The renowned trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks mentioned in ancient chronicles stretched from Scandinavia through Latvian territory via Daugava to the ancient Kievan Rus' and Byzantine Empire. The ancient Balts actively participated in this trading network. Across Europe, Latvia's coast was known as a place for obtaining amber and Latvia sometimes is still called "Dzintarzeme" (Amberland). Up to and into the Middle Ages, amber was more valuable than gold in many places. Latvian amber was known in places as far away as Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, and the Amber Road was intensively used for the transport of amber to the south of Europe.


title: History of Latvia

text: During the Vendel Period a Scandinavian settlement was established near the town of Grobiņa, most likely by people from Gotland. This colony which numbered a few hundred people existed from a date between 650 and 850 AD. Many chronicles mention that Curonians paid a tribute to Swedish kings.


title: History of Latvia

text: During the Late Iron Age (800–1200 AD) the three-field system was introduced, rye cultivation began, and the quality of local craftsmanship improved with the introduction of the potter's wheel and better metal working techniques. Arab, Western European and Anglo-Saxon coins dating from this era have been found. A network of wooden hill-forts was built, which provided control and security over the land.


title: History of Latvia

text: In the 10th century, the various ancient Baltic tribal chiefdoms started forming early realms. Regional tribal cultures developed in the territory of modern-day Latvia and northern Lithuania, including the Curonians, Latgalians, Selonians, Semigallians () and The Western Finnic Livonians, who united under their local chiefs.


title: History of Latvia

text: The largest tribe was the Latgalians who also were the most advanced in their socio-political development. The main Latgalian principality, Jersika, was ruled by Greek Orthodox princes from the Latgalian-Polotsk branch of the Rurik dynasty. The last ruler of Jersika, mentioned in the Chronicle of Henry of Livonia (a document that describes events of the late 12th and early 13th centuries) was King Visvaldis ("Vissewalde, rex de Gercike"). When he divided his realm in 1211, part of the country was called "Lettia" ("terra, quae Lettia dicitur"), probably the first time this name is mentioned in written sources.


title: History of Latvia

text: In contrast, the Couronians, whose territories extended into today's Lithuania and Curonian Spit, maintained a lifestyle of sea invasions that included looting and pillaging. On the west coast of the Baltic Sea they became known as the "Baltic Vikings."


title: History of Latvia

text: Selonians and Semgallians, closely related to Aukštaitians and Samogitians, were known as prosperous farmers and resisted Germans the longest under such chiefs as Viestards. Livonians lived along the shores of the Gulf of Riga and were fishers and traders, and they gave the first German name to this territory – Livland.


title: History of Latvia

text: Before the German invasions started in the late 12th century, Latvia was inhabited by about 135,000 Baltic people and 20,000 Livonians.