Tom Cruise Thomas Cruise Mapother IV ( born July 3 , 1962 ) , known professionally as Tom Cruise , is an American actor and producer . He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and has won three Golden Globe Awards . He started his career at age 19 in the film Endless Love ( 1981 ) . After portraying supporting roles in Taps ( 1981 ) and The Outsiders ( 1983 ) , his first leading role was in the romantic comedy Risky Business , released in August 1983 . Cruise became a full-fledged movie star after starring as Pete `` Maverick '' Mitchell in the action drama Top Gun ( 1986 ) . One of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood , Cruise starred in several more successful films in the 1980s , including the dramas The Color of Money ( 1986 ) , Cocktail ( 1988 ) , Rain Man ( 1988 ) , and Born on the Fourth of July ( 1989 ) .   In the 1990s , he starred in a number of hit films , including the romance Far and Away ( 1992 ) , the drama A Few Good Men ( 1992 ) , the legal thriller The Firm ( 1993 ) , the drama horror film Interview with the Vampire ( 1994 ) , the romantic comedy-drama sports film Jerry Maguire ( 1996 ) , the erotic thriller Eyes Wide Shut , and the drama Magnolia ( both 1999 ) . Since 1996 , Cruise has been well known for his role as IMF agent Ethan Hunt in the Mission : Impossible film series , whose most recent film , Mission : Impossible -- Rogue Nation , was released in 2015 .   In the 2000s , Cruise starred in a number of successful films , including the science fiction thrillers Vanilla Sky ( 2001 ) and Minority Report ( 2002 ) , the epic war film The Last Samurai ( 2003 ) , the crime film Collateral ( 2004 ) , the science fiction disaster thriller War of the Worlds ( 2005 ) , and the historical thriller Valkyrie ( 2008 ) .   In the 2010s , he has starred in the action comedy Knight and Day ( 2010 ) , the thriller Jack Reacher ( 2012 ) , the post-apocalyptic science fiction film Oblivion ( 2013 ) , and the military science fiction film Edge of Tomorrow ( 2014 ) . In 2012 , Cruise was Hollywood 's highest-paid actor . 16 of his films grossed over $ 100 million domestically ; 22 have grossed in excess of $ 200 million worldwide .   He has won Golden Globe Awards for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture in Drama in 1990 for Born on the Fourth of July ; Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture in Comedy/Musical in 1997 for Jerry Maguire ; and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in 2000 for Magnolia . In 2002 , Cruise won the Saturn Award for Best Actor for Vanilla Sky . In 2003 , he won an AFI Movie of the Year Award for The Last Samurai and an Empire Award for Best Actor for Minority Report .   Cruise is an outspoken advocate for the Church of Scientology and its associated social programs , and credits it with helping him overcome dyslexia . In the 2000s , his criticisms of psychiatry and anti-depressant drugs , particularly therapy for 9/11 rescue workers , and efforts to promote Scientology as a religion in Europe , sparked controversies , as did a leaked video interview of him promoting Scientology .


Oakland, California is a minor port city.

Oakland, California Oakland -LSB- ˈoʊklənd -RSB- is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County , California , United States . A major West Coast port city , Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area , the third largest city overall in the San Francisco Bay Area , the eighth largest city in California , and the 45th largest city in the United States , with a population of 419,267 . It serves as a trade center for the San Francisco Bay Area ; its Port of Oakland is the busiest port in the San Francisco Bay , the entirety of Northern California , and the fifth busiest in the United States . The city was incorporated in 1852 .   Oakland 's territory covers what was once a mosaic of California coastal terrace prairie , oak woodland , and north coastal scrub . Its land served as a rich resource when its hillside oak and redwood timber were logged to build San Francisco , and Oakland 's fertile flatland soils helped it become a prolific agricultural region . In the late 1860s , Oakland was selected as the western terminal of the Transcontinental Railroad . Following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake , many San Francisco citizens moved to Oakland , enlarging the city 's population , increasing its housing stock and improving its infrastructure . It continued to grow in the 20th century with its busy port , shipyards , and a thriving automobile manufacturing industry .   Oakland is known for its sustainability practices , including a top-ranking for usage of electricity from renewable resources . Oakland is also known for its history of political activism , as well as its professional sports franchises ( such as the Oakland Raiders , Oakland Athletics and the Golden State Warriors ) and major corporations , which include health care , dot-com companies , and manufacturers of household products . In addition , due to a steady influx of immigrants during the 20th century , along with thousands of African-American war-industry workers who relocated from the Deep South during the 1940s , Oakland is the most ethnically diverse major city in the country .


Mariah Carey only has a one-octave vocal range.

Mariah Carey Mariah Carey ( born March 27 , 1969 or 1970 ) is an American singer , songwriter , record producer , and actress . In 1990 , she rose to fame with the release of `` Vision of Love '' from her eponymous debut album . The album produced four chart-topping singles in the US and began what would become a string of commercially successful albums which solidified the singer as Columbias highest selling act . Carey and Boyz II Men spent a record sixteen weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995 -- 96 with `` One Sweet Day , '' which remains the longest-running number-one song in US chart history . Following a contentious divorce from Sony Music head Tommy Mottola , Carey adopted a new image and traversed towards hip hop with the release of Butterfly ( 1997 ) . In 1998 , she was honored as the world 's best-selling recording artist of the 1990s at the World Music Awards and subsequently named the best-selling female artist of the millennium in 2000 .   Carey parted with Columbia in 2000 , and signed a record-breaking $ 100 million recording contract with Virgin Records America . In the weeks prior to the release of her film Glitter and its accompanying soundtrack in 2001 , she suffered a physical and emotional breakdown and was hospitalized for severe exhaustion . The project was poorly received and led to a general decline in the singer 's career . Carey 's recording contract was bought out for $ 50 million by Virgin and she signed a multi-million dollar deal with Island Records the following year . After a relatively unsuccessful period , she returned to the top of music charts with The Emancipation of Mimi ( 2005 ) . The album became the best-selling album in the US and the second best-seller worldwide in 2005 and produced `` We Belong Together , '' which became her most successful single of the 2000s , and was later named `` Song of the Decade '' by Billboard . Carey once again ventured into film with a well-received supporting role in Precious ( 2009 ) , and was awarded the `` Breakthrough Performance Award '' at the Palm Springs International Film Festival .   Throughout her career , Carey has sold more than 200 million records worldwide , making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time . According to the RIAA , she is the third-best-selling female artist in the United States , with 63.5 million certified albums . With the release of `` Touch My Body '' ( 2008 ) , Carey gained her 18th number-one single in the United States , more than any other solo artist . In 2012 , the singer was ranked second on VH1 's list of the `` 100 Greatest Women in Music . '' Aside from her commercial accomplishments , Carey has won 5 Grammy Awards , 19 World Music Awards , 11 American Music Awards , and 14 Billboard Music Awards and has been consistently credited with inspiring a generation of singers . Referred to as the `` songbird supreme '' by the Guinness World Records , she has a five-octave vocal range , power , melismatic style and signature use of the whistle register .


Ken Russell was involved with a 1975 British musical fantasy drama film about penguins.

Tommy (1975 film) Tommy is a 1975 British musical fantasy drama film based upon The Who 's 1969 rock opera album Tommy about a seemingly disabled boy who becomes a religious pinball champion . Directed by Ken Russell , the film featured a star-studded ensemble cast , including the band members themselves ( most notably , lead singer Roger Daltrey , who plays the title role ) , Ann-Margret , Oliver Reed , Eric Clapton , Tina Turner , Elton John , Arthur Brown , and Jack Nicholson .   Ann-Margret received a Golden Globe Award for her performance , and was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress . Pete Townshend was also nominated for an Oscar for his work in scoring and adapting the music for the film . The film was shown at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival , but was not entered into the main competition . In 1975 , the film won the award for Rock Movie of the Year in the First Annual Rock Music Awards .


Ken Russell Henry Kenneth Alfred `` Ken '' Russell ( 3 July 1927 -- 27 November 2011 ) was an English film director , known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style . Critics have accused him of being obsessed with sexuality and the Roman Catholic Church . His films in the main were liberal adaptations of existing texts , or biographies , notably of composers of the Romantic era . Russell began directing for the BBC , where he made creative adaptations of composers ' lives which were unusual for the time . He also directed many feature films independently and for studios .   He is best known for his Oscar-winning films Women in Love ( 1969 ) , The Devils ( 1971 ) , The Who 's Tommy ( 1975 ) , and the science fiction film Altered States ( 1980 ) . Russell also directed several films based on the lives of classical music composers , such as Elgar , Delius , Tchaikovsky , Mahler , and Liszt .   Film critic Mark Kermode , speaking in 2006 , and attempting to sum up the director 's achievement , called Russell , `` somebody who proved that British cinema did n't have to be about kitchen-sink realism -- it could be every bit as flamboyant as Fellini . Later in his life he turned to making low-budget experimental films such as Lion 's Mouth and Revenge of the Elephant Man , and they are as edgy and ` out there ' as ever '' .   Ken Russell died of natural causes on 27 November 2011 at the age of 84 .


Donkey is included in the Shrek franchise.

Donkey (Shrek) Donkey is a fast-talking donkey created by William Steig and adapted by DreamWorks Animation for the Shrek franchise . The character is voiced by Eddie Murphy .


Netherlands The Netherlands , ( -LSB- ˈnɛðərləndz -RSB- Nederland -LSB- ˈneːdərˌlɑnt -RSB- ; Nederlân ) also known informally as Holland , is the main constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands . It is a densely populated country located in Western Europe with three island territories in the Caribbean.designated Bonaire , Sint Eustatius and Saba within ISO ISO 3166-1 . The European part of the Netherlands borders Germany to the east , Belgium to the south , and the North Sea to the northwest , sharing maritime borders with Belgium , the United Kingdom , and Germany .   The four largest cities in the Netherlands are Amsterdam , Rotterdam , The Hague and Utrecht ( collectively known as G4 ) . Amsterdam is the country 's capital , while The Hague holds the Dutch seat of parliament and government . The port of Rotterdam is the world 's largest port outside East-Asia , and the largest port in Europe . The name Holland is used informally to refer to the whole of the country of the Netherlands.Formally ` Holland ' refers only to two of the country 's twelve provinces : North Holland and South Holland .   `` Netherlands '' literally means `` lower countries '' , influenced by its low land and flat geography , with only about 50 % of its land exceeding one metre above sea level . Most of the areas below sea level are artificial . Since the late 16th century , large areas ( polders ) have been reclaimed from the sea and lakes , amounting to nearly 17 % of the country 's current land mass . With a population density of 412 people per km2 -- 507 ( January 2017 ) if water is excluded -- the Netherlands is classified as a very densely populated country . Only Bangladesh , South Korea , and Taiwan have both a larger population and higher population density . Nevertheless , the Netherlands is the world 's second-largest exporter of food and agricultural products , after the United States . This is partly due to the fertility of the soil and the mild climate . The Netherlands was the third country in the world to have an elected parliament , and since 1848 it has been governed as a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy , organised as a unitary state . The Netherlands has a long history of social tolerance and is generally regarded as a liberal country , having legalised abortion , prostitution and euthanasia , while maintaining a progressive drugs policy . In 2001 , it became the world 's first country to legalise same-sex marriage .   The Netherlands is a founding member of the EU , Eurozone , G-10 , NATO , OECD and WTO ; as well as being a part of the Schengen Area and the trilateral Benelux Union . The country is host to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and five international courts : the Permanent Court of Arbitration , the International Court of Justice , the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia , the International Criminal Court and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon . The first four are situated in The Hague , as is the EU 's criminal intelligence agency Europol and judicial co-operation agency Eurojust . This has led to the city being dubbed `` the world 's legal capital . '' The country also ranks second highest in the world 's 2016 Press Freedom Index , as published by Reporters Without Borders .   The Netherlands has a market-based mixed economy , ranking 17th of 177 countries according to the Index of Economic Freedom . It had the thirteenth-highest per capita income in the world in 2013 according to the International Monetary Fund . In 2013 , the United Nations World Happiness Report ranked the Netherlands as the seventh-happiest country in the world , reflecting its high quality of life . The Netherlands also ranks joint third highest in the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index , along with Australia .


The Simpsons series will be renewed for a another season.

The Simpsons The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company . The series is a satirical depiction of working-class life epitomized by the Simpson family , which consists of Homer , Marge , Bart , Lisa , and Maggie . The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield and parodies American culture , society , television , and the human condition .   The family was conceived by Groening shortly before a solicitation for a series of animated shorts with producer James L. Brooks . Groening created a dysfunctional family and named the characters after members of his own family , substituting Bart for his own name . The shorts became a part of The Tracey Ullman Show on April 19 , 1987 . After a three-season run , the sketch was developed into a half-hour prime time show and became an early hit for Fox , becoming the network 's first series to land in the Top 30 ratings in a season ( 1989 -- 90 ) .   Since its debut on December 17 , 1989 , episodes of The Simpsons have been broadcast . Its 28th season began on September 25 , 2016 . It is the longest-running American sitcom and the longest-running American animated program , and , in 2009 , it surpassed Gunsmoke as the longest-running American scripted primetime television series . The Simpsons Movie , a feature-length film , was released in theaters worldwide on July 27 , 2007 , and grossed over $ 527 million . On November 4 , 2016 , the series was renewed for a twenty-ninth and thirtieth season of 22 episodes each , extending the show to 2019 .   The Simpsons received widespread critical acclaim throughout its first nine seasons , which are generally considered its `` Golden Age '' . Time named it the 20th century 's best television series , and Erik Adams of The A.V. Club named it `` television 's crowning achievement regardless of format '' . On January 14 , 2000 , the Simpson family was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . It has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series , including 31 Primetime Emmy Awards , 30 Annie Awards , and a Peabody Award . Homer 's exclamatory catchphrase `` D'oh ! '' has been adopted into the English language , while The Simpsons has influenced many adult-oriented animated sitcoms . Despite this , the show has also been criticized for what many perceive as a decline in quality over the years .


Emily Blunt starred in a dramatic movie.

Emily Blunt Emily Olivia Leah Blunt ( born 23 February 1983 ) is a British film and stage actress . Blunt made her professional debut in a 2001 London production of the play The Royal Family . Two years later , she appeared on screen for the first time in the 2003 television film Boudica ( Warrior Queen ) . Her performance in the 2004 drama film My Summer of Love garnered her the Evening Standard British Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer .   For her performance in the TV film Gideon 's Daughter ( 2006 ) she received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress . The same year , she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress -- Motion Picture and a nomination for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Devil Wears Prada .   In 2009 , Blunt received the BAFTA Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year . She received more acclaim for portraying Queen Victoria in The Young Victoria ( 2009 ) , receiving a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture -- Drama . 2009 also saw Blunt appear in the crime caper comedy Wild Target with Bill Nighy and Rupert Grint . She found commercial success for roles in the romantic science-fiction thriller The Adjustment Bureau ( 2011 ) , the science-fiction action thriller Looper ( 2012 ) , and the science-fiction military film Edge of Tomorrow ( 2014 ) .   Blunt received her fourth and fifth Golden Globe Award nominations for her roles in the romantic comedy-drama Salmon Fishing in the Yemen ( 2012 ) and the musical fantasy Into the Woods ( 2014 ) in the Best Actress -- Motion Picture Comedy or Musical category . In 2016 , Blunt starred in the fantasy-action film The Huntsman : Winter 's War and The Girl on the Train , the latter based on the international best-selling novel of the same name , and a performance that earned her nominations for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role .


The Young Victoria The Young Victoria is a 2009 British-American period drama film directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and written by Julian Fellowes , based on the early life and reign of Queen Victoria , and her marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha . Produced by Graham King , Martin Scorsese , Sarah Ferguson and Timothy Headington , the film stars Emily Blunt , Rupert Friend , Paul Bettany , Miranda Richardson , Mark Strong and Jim Broadbent among a large ensemble cast .   As screenwriter , Fellowes sought to make the film as historically accurate as possible . With this in mind , Academy Award-winning costume designer Sandy Powell and historical consultant Alastair Bruce were hired , and filming for The Young Victoria took place at various historical landmarks in England to further the film 's authenticity . Despite this , various aspects of the film have been criticised for their historical inaccuracies .   Momentum Pictures released the film in the United Kingdom , where it appeared in cinemas on 6 March 2009 . Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group opened The Young Victoria in limited theatrical release in the United States on 18 December 2009 through Apparition . Critical reception was generally positive , and it scored a 76 percent rating on film review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes based upon 139 reviews . The film was nominated for three Academy Awards , winning the 2009 Academy Award for Best Costume Design . The film also won for the Best Make-Up and Hair and Best Costume Design at the 63rd British Academy Film Awards .


Burundi was formerly a European colony ruled by Germans.

Burundi Burundi ( -LSB- bəˈrʊndi -RSB- or -LSB- bəˈrʌndi -RSB- ) , officially the Republic of Burundi ( Republika y' Uburundi , -LSB- buˈɾundi -RSB- République du Burundi , -LSB- buʁundi -RSB- or -LSB- byʁyndi -RSB- ) , is a landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region of East Africa , bordered by Rwanda to the north , Tanzania to the east and south , and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west . It is also considered part of Central Africa . Burundi 's capital is Bujumbura . The southwestern border is adjacent to Lake Tanganyika .   The Twa , Hutu and Tutsi peoples have lived in Burundi for at least 500 years . For more than 200 of those years , Burundi was an independent kingdom , until the beginning of the 20th century , when Germany colonised the region . After the First World War and Germany 's defeat , it ceded the territory to Belgium . Both Germans and Belgians ruled Burundi and Rwanda as a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi . Despite common misconceptions , Burundi and Rwanda had never been under common rule until the time of European colonisation .   Burundi gained independence in 1962 and initially had a monarchy , but a series of assassinations , coups and a general climate of regional instability culminated in the establishment of a republic and one-party state in 1966 . Bouts of ethnic cleansing and ultimately two civil wars and genocides during the 1970s and again in the 1990s left the country undeveloped and its population as one of the world 's poorest . 2015 witnessed large-scale political strife as President Pierre Nkurunziza opted to run for a third term in office , a coup attempt failed and the country 's parliamentary and presidential elections were broadly criticised by members of the international community .   Burundi 's political system is that of a presidential representative democratic republic based upon a multi-party state . The President of Burundi is the head of state and head of government . There are currently 21 registered parties in Burundi . On 13 March 1992 , Tutsi coup leader Pierre Buyoya established a constitution , which provided for a multi-party political process and reflected multi-party competition . Six years later , on 6 June 1998 , the constitution was changed , broadening National Assembly 's seats and making provisions for two vice-presidents . Because of the Arusha Accord , Burundi enacted a transitional government in 2000 . In October 2016 , Burundi informed the UN of its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court .   Burundi remains an overwhelmingly rural society , with just 13 % of the population living in urban areas in 2013 . The population density of around 315 people per square kilometre ( 753 per sq mi ) is the second highest in Sub-Saharan Africa . Roughly 85 % of the population are of Hutu ethnic origin , 15 % are Tutsi , and fewer than 1 % are indigenous Twa ( or Pygmies ) . The official languages of Burundi are French and Kirundi , although Swahili can be found spoken along the Tanzanian border .   One of the smallest countries in Africa , Burundi has an equatorial climate . Burundi is a part of the Albertine Rift , the western extension of the East African Rift . The country lies on a rolling plateau in the centre of Africa . The highest peak , Mount Heha at 8810 ft , lies to the southeast of the capital , Bujumbura . The source of the River Nile is in Bururi province , and is linked from Lake Victoria to its headwaters via the Ruvyironza River Another major lake is Lake Tanganyika , located in much of Burundi 's southwestern corner . There are two national parks , Kibira National Park to the northwest ( a small region of rain forest , adjacent to Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda ) , Ruvubu National Park to the northeast ( along the Rurubu River , also known as Ruvubu or Ruvuvu ) . Both were established in 1982 to conserve wildlife populations . Burundi 's lands are mostly agricultural or pasture .   Settlement by rural populations has led to deforestation , soil erosion and habitat loss . Deforestation of the entire country is almost completely due to overpopulation , with a mere 230 mi2 remaining and an ongoing loss of about 9 % per annum . In addition to poverty , Burundians often have to deal with corruption , weak infrastructure , poor access to health and education services , and hunger . Burundi is densely populated and has had substantial emigration as young people seek opportunities elsewhere . The World Happiness Report 2017 ranked Burundi as the world 's second least happy nation with a rank of 154 .


Symbionese Liberation Army The United Federated Forces of the Symbionese Liberation Army ( SLA ) was an American self-styled left-wing revolutionary organization active between 1973 and 1975 that considered itself a vanguard army . The group committed bank robberies , two murders , and other acts of violence .   The SLA became internationally notorious for the kidnapping of heiress Patty Hearst , abducting the 19-year-old from Berkeley , California . Interest increased when Hearst , in audiotaped messages delivered to ( and broadcast by ) regional news media , announced that she had joined the SLA . Hearst later said that members of the terrorist group threatened to kill her , held her in close confinement , and sexually assaulted and brainwashed her .


Patty Hearst Patricia Campbell `` Patty '' Hearst ( born February 20 , 1954 ) , now known as Patricia Hearst Shaw , is the granddaughter of American publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst . She became nationally known for events following her 1974 kidnapping while she was a 19-year-old student living in Berkeley , California . Hearst was abducted by a left-wing terrorist group known as the Symbionese Liberation Army . After being isolated and threatened with death , she became supportive of their cause , making propaganda announcements for them and taking part in illegal activities .   Hearst was found 19 months after her kidnapping , by which time she was a fugitive wanted for serious crimes . She was held in custody , despite speculation that her family 's resources would prevent her spending time in jail . At her trial , the prosecution suggested that she had joined the Symbionese Liberation Army of her own volition , and that sexual activities between her and SLA members had not amounted to rape . She was found guilty of bank robbery . Hearst 's sentence was commuted by President Jimmy Carter , and she was pardoned by President Bill Clinton .


Bee Gees The Bee Gees  were a pop music group formed in 1958 . Their line-up consisted of brothers Barry , Robin and Maurice Gibb . The trio were successful for most of their decades of recording music , but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success ; as a popular music act in the late 1960s and early 1970s , and as prominent performers of the disco music era in the mid-to-late 1970s . The group sang recognisable three-part tight harmonies ; Robin 's clear vibrato lead vocals were a hallmark of their earlier hits , while Barry 's R&B falsetto became their signature sound during the mid-to-late 1970s and 1980s . The Bee Gees wrote all of their own hits , as well as writing and producing several major hits for other artists .   Born on the Isle of Man to English parents , the Gibb brothers lived in Chorlton , Manchester , England , until the late 1950s where they formed the Rattlesnakes . The family then moved to Redcliffe , in Queensland , Australia , and then to Cribb Island . After achieving their first chart success in Australia as the Bee Gees with `` Spicks and Specks '' ( their 12th single ) , they returned to the UK in January 1967 where producer Robert Stigwood began promoting them to a worldwide audience .   The Bee Gees have sold more than 220 million records worldwide , making them one of the world 's best-selling music artists of all time . They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 ; the presenter of the award to `` Britain 's first family of harmony '' was Brian Wilson , historical leader of the Beach Boys , a `` family act '' also featuring three harmonising brothers . The Bee Gees ' Hall of Fame citation says `` Only Elvis Presley , the Beatles , Michael Jackson , Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees . ''   Following Maurice 's death in January 2003 at the age of 53 , Barry and Robin retired the group 's name after 45 years of activity . In 2009 Robin announced that he and Barry had agreed that the Bee Gees would re-form and perform again . Robin died in May 2012 at the age of 62 , after a prolonged struggle with cancer and other health problems , leaving Barry as the only surviving member of the group 's final line up .


Barry Gibb Barry Alan Crompton Gibb , ( born 1 September 1946 ) is a British singer , songwriter and record producer who rose to worldwide fame as a co-founder of the group Bee Gees , one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed groups in the history of popular music . With his brothers , Robin and Maurice Gibb , he formed a songwriting partnership beginning in 1966 .   Born on the Isle of Man , he was raised in Manchester where he became involved in the skiffle craze , forming his first band , the Rattlesnakes , which evolved into the Bee Gees in 1960 when they moved to Redcliffe , Queensland , Australia . They returned to England where they achieved worldwide fame . He is also known for his high-pitched falsetto singing voice . Gibb shares the record with John Lennon and Paul McCartney for consecutive Billboard Hot 100 number ones as a writer with six . Guinness World Records lists Gibb as the second most successful songwriter in history behind Paul McCartney .  Gibb 's career has spanned over fifty years . In 1994 , he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame with his brothers . In 1997 , as a member of the Bee Gees , he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music . Barry is a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters , Composers and Authors .   For services to music , Gibb ( along with his brothers ) was appointed Commander in the Order of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace on 27 May 2004 . In 2007 , Q magazine ranked him number 38 on its list of the `` 100 Greatest Singers '' .


Kiiara Kiara Saulters ( born May 24 , 1995 ) , known professionally as Kiiara , is an American singer and songwriter from Wilmington , Illinois . She is currently signed to Atlantic Records . Her music is described as downcast electronic pop with bass-heavy , trap-style rap production .


The Magna Carta refused access to swift justice.

Magna Carta Magna Carta Libertatum ( Medieval Latin for `` the Great Charter of the Liberties '' ) , commonly called Magna Carta ( also Magna Charta ; '' ( the ) Great Charter '' ) , is a charter agreed to by King John of England at Runnymede , near Windsor , on 15 June 1215 . First drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury to make peace between the unpopular King and a group of rebel barons , it promised the protection of church rights , protection for the barons from illegal imprisonment , access to swift justice , and limitations on feudal payments to the Crown , to be implemented through a council of 25 barons . Neither side stood behind their commitments , and the charter was annulled by Pope Innocent III , leading to the First Barons ' War . After John 's death , the regency government of his young son , Henry III , reissued the document in 1216 , stripped of some of its more radical content , in an unsuccessful bid to build political support for their cause . At the end of the war in 1217 , it formed part of the peace treaty agreed at Lambeth , where the document acquired the name Magna Carta , to distinguish it from the smaller Charter of the Forest which was issued at the same time . Short of funds , Henry reissued the charter again in 1225 in exchange for a grant of new taxes ; his son , Edward I , repeated the exercise in 1297 , this time confirming it as part of England 's statute law .   The charter became part of English political life and was typically renewed by each monarch in turn , although as time went by and the fledgling English Parliament passed new laws , it lost some of its practical significance . At the end of the 16th century there was an upsurge in interest in Magna Carta . Lawyers and historians at the time believed that there was an ancient English constitution , going back to the days of the Anglo-Saxons , that protected individual English freedoms . They argued that the Norman invasion of 1066 had overthrown these rights , and that Magna Carta had been a popular attempt to restore them , making the charter an essential foundation for the contemporary powers of Parliament and legal principles such as habeas corpus . Although this historical account was badly flawed , jurists such as Sir Edward Coke used Magna Carta extensively in the early 17th century , arguing against the divine right of kings propounded by the Stuart monarchs . Both James I and his son Charles I attempted to suppress the discussion of Magna Carta , until the issue was curtailed by the English Civil War of the 1640s and the execution of Charles .   The political myth of Magna Carta and its protection of ancient personal liberties persisted after the Glorious Revolution of 1688 until well into the 19th century . It influenced the early American colonists in the Thirteen Colonies and the formation of the American Constitution in 1787 , which became the supreme law of the land in the new republic of the United States . Research by Victorian historians showed that the original 1215 charter had concerned the medieval relationship between the monarch and the barons , rather than the rights of ordinary people , but the charter remained a powerful , iconic document , even after almost all of its content was repealed from the statute books in the 19th and 20th centuries . Magna Carta still forms an important symbol of liberty today , often cited by politicians and campaigners , and is held in great respect by the British and American legal communities , Lord Denning describing it as `` the greatest constitutional document of all times -- the foundation of the freedom of the individual against the arbitrary authority of the despot '' .   In the 21st century , four exemplifications of the original 1215 charter remain in existence , held by the British Library and the cathedrals of Lincoln and Salisbury . There are also a handful of the subsequent charters in public and private ownership , including copies of the 1297 charter in both the United States and Australia . The original charters were written on parchment sheets using quill pens , in heavily abbreviated medieval Latin , which was the convention for legal documents at that time . Each was sealed with the royal great seal ( made of beeswax and resin sealing wax ) : very few of the seals have survived . Although scholars refer to the 63 numbered `` clauses '' of Magna Carta , this is a modern system of numbering , introduced by Sir William Blackstone in 1759 ; the original charter formed a single , long unbroken text . The four original 1215 charters were displayed together at the British Library for one day , 3 February 2015 , to mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta .


Jordan Spence Jordan James Spence ( born 24 May 1990 ) is an English footballer who plays for Ipswich Town . Predominantly as a right-back , Spence can also operate as a centre-back . He has represented and captained England at various youth levels . He has previously played for West Ham United , Leyton Orient , Scunthorpe United , Bristol City , Sheffield Wednesday and Milton Keynes Dons .


South America contains at least five countries and these countries contain people who speak at least Spanish or Portuguese.

South America South America is a continent located in the western hemisphere , mostly in the southern hemisphere , with a relatively small portion in the northern hemisphere . It may also be considered a subcontinent of the Americas , which is the model used in nations that speak Romance languages . The reference to South America instead of other regions ( like Latin America or the Southern Cone ) has increased in the last decades due to changing geopolitical dynamics ( in particular , the rise of Brazil ) .   It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east by the Atlantic Ocean ; North America and the Caribbean Sea lie to the northwest . It includes twelve sovereign states ( Argentina , Bolivia , Brazil , Chile , Colombia , Ecuador , Guyana , Paraguay , Peru , Suriname , Uruguay , and Venezuela ) , a part of France ( French Guiana ) , and a non-sovereign area ( the Falkland Islands , a British Overseas Territory though this is disputed by Argentina ) . In addition to this , the ABC islands of the Kingdom of the Netherlands , Trinidad and Tobago , and Panama may also be considered part of South America .   South America has an area of 17,840,000 square kilometers ( 6,890,000 sq mi ) . Its population has been estimated at more than 371,090,000 . South America ranks fourth in area ( after Asia , Africa , and North America ) and fifth in population ( after Asia , Africa , Europe , and North America ) . Brazil is by far the most populous South American country , with more than half of the continent 's population , followed by Colombia , Argentina , Venezuela and Peru . In recent decades Brazil has also concentrated half of the region 's GDP and has become a first regional power .   Most of the population lives near the continent 's western or eastern coasts while the interior and the far south are sparsely populated . The geography of western South America is dominated by the Andes mountains ; in contrast , the eastern part contains both highland regions and large lowlands where rivers such as the Amazon , Orinoco , and Paraná flow . Most of the continent lies in the tropics .   The continent 's cultural and ethnic outlook has its origin with the interaction of indigenous peoples with European conquerors and immigrants and , more locally , with African slaves . Given a long history of colonialism , the overwhelming majority of South Americans speak Portuguese or Spanish , and societies and states commonly reflect Western traditions .


Argentina Argentina ( -LSB- ɑrdʒənˈtiːnə -RSB- -LSB- aɾxenˈtina -RSB- ) , officially the Argentine Republic ( República Argentina ) , is a federal republic in the southern portion of South America . Sharing the bulk of the Southern Cone with its neighbor Chile to the west , the country is also bordered by Bolivia and Paraguay to the north , Brazil to the northeast , Uruguay and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east , and the Drake Passage to the south . With a mainland area of 2780400 km2 , Argentina is the eighth-largest country in the world , the second largest in Latin America , and the largest Spanish-speaking one . The country is subdivided into twenty-three provinces ( provincias , singular provincia ) and one autonomous city ( ciudad autónoma ) , Buenos Aires , which is the federal capital of the nation ( -LSB- Capital Federal , links = no -RSB- ) as decided by Congress .  The provinces and the capital have their own constitutions , but exist under a federal system .   Argentina claims sovereignty over part of Antarctica , the Falkland Islands ( -LSB- Islas Malvinas , links = no -RSB- ) , and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands . The earliest recorded human presence in the area of modern-day Argentina dates back to the Paleolithic period . The country has its roots in Spanish colonization of the region during the 16th century . Argentina rose as the successor state of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata , a Spanish overseas viceroyalty founded in 1776 . The declaration and fight for independence ( 1810 -- 1818 ) was followed by an extended civil war that lasted until 1861 , culminating in the country 's reorganization as a federation of provinces with Buenos Aires as its capital city . The country thereafter enjoyed relative peace and stability , with massive waves of European immigration radically reshaping its cultural and demographic outlook . The almost-unparalleled increase in prosperity led to Argentina becoming the seventh wealthiest developed nation in the world by the early 20th century .   After 1930 , Argentina descended into political instability and periodic economic crises that pushed it back into underdevelopment , though it nevertheless remained among the fifteen richest countries until the mid-20th century . Argentina retains its historic status as a middle power in international affairs , and is a prominent regional power in the Southern Cone and Latin America . Argentina has the second largest economy in South America , the third-largest in Latin America and is a member of the G-15 and G-20 major economies . It is also a founding member of the United Nations , World Bank , World Trade Organization , Mercosur , Union of South American Nations , Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Organization of Ibero-American States . It is the country with the second highest Human Development Index in Latin America with a rating of `` very high '' . Because of its stability , market size and growing high-tech sector , Argentina is classified as a high-income economy .


Bolivia Bolivia ( -LSB- bəˈlɪviə -RSB- -LSB- boˈliβi̯a -RSB- ; Buliwya -LSB- bʊlɪwja -RSB- Wuliwya -LSB- - allwʊlɪwja -RSB- Mborivia -LSB- ᵐboˈɾiʋja -RSB- ) , officially known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia ( Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia ) , is a landlocked country located in western-central South America . It is bordered to the north and east by Brazil , to the southeast by Paraguay , to the south by Argentina , to the southwest by Chile , and to the northwest by Peru . One-third of the country is the Andean mountain range , with one of its largest cities and principal economic centers , El Alto , located on the Altiplano . Bolivia is one of two landlocked countries ( the other is Paraguay ) that lie outside Afro-Eurasia . Bolivia is geographically the largest landlocked country in the Americas , but remains a relatively small country in economic and military terms .   Before Spanish colonization , the Andean region of Bolivia was part of the Inca Empire , while the northern and eastern lowlands were inhabited by independent tribes . Spanish conquistadors arriving from Cuzco and Asunción took control of the region in the 16th century . During the Spanish colonial period Bolivia was administered by the Royal Audiencia of Charcas . Spain built its empire in great part upon the silver that was extracted from Bolivia 's mines .   After the first call for independence in 1809 , 16 years of war followed before the establishment of the Republic , named for Simón Bolívar , on 6 August 1825 . Since independence , Bolivia has endured periods of political and economic instability , including the loss of various peripheral territories to its neighbors , such as Acre and parts of the Gran Chaco . It has been landlocked since the annexation of its Pacific coast territory by Chile following the War of the Pacific ( 1879 -- 84 ) , but agreements with neighboring countries have granted it indirect access to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans .   The country 's population , estimated at 11 million , is multiethnic , including Amerindians , Mestizos , Europeans , Asians and Africans . The racial and social segregation that arose from Spanish colonialism has continued to the modern era . Spanish is the official and predominant language , although 36 indigenous languages also have official status , of which the most commonly spoken are Guarani , Aymara and Quechua languages .   Modern Bolivia is constitutionally a unitary state , divided into nine departments . Its geography varies from the peaks of the Andes in the West , to the Eastern Lowlands , situated within the Amazon Basin . It is a developing country , with a medium ranking in the Human Development Index and a poverty level of 53 percent . Its main economic activities include agriculture , forestry , fishing , mining , and manufacturing goods such as textiles , clothing , refined metals , and refined petroleum . Bolivia is very wealthy in minerals , especially tin .


Brazil Brazil ( listen ) , is the largest country in both South America and Latin America . As the world 's fifth-largest country by both area and population , it is the largest country to have Portuguese as an official language and the only one in the Americas . Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east , Brazil has a coastline of 7491 km It borders all other South American countries except Ecuador and Chile and covers 47.3 % of the continent 's land area . Its Amazon River basin includes a vast tropical forest , home to diverse wildlife , a variety of ecological systems , and extensive natural resources spanning numerous protected habitats . This unique environmental heritage makes Brazil one of 17 megadiverse countries , and is the subject of significant global interest and debate regarding deforestation and environmental protection .   Brazil was inhabited by numerous tribal nations prior to the landing in 1500 of explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral , who claimed the area for the Portuguese Empire . Brazil remained a Portuguese colony until 1808 , when the capital of the empire was transferred from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro . In 1815 , the colony was elevated to the rank of kingdom upon the formation of the United Kingdom of Portugal , Brazil and the Algarves . Independence was achieved in 1822 with the creation of the Empire of Brazil , a unitary state governed under a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system . The ratification of the first constitution in 1824 led to the formation of a bicameral legislature , now called the National Congress . The country became a presidential republic in 1889 following a military coup d'état . An authoritarian military junta came to power in 1964 and ruled until 1985 , after which civilian governance resumed . Brazil 's current constitution , formulated in 1988 , defines it as a democratic federal republic . The federation is composed of the union of the Federal District , the 26 states , and the 5,570 municipalities .   Brazil 's economy is the world 's both eighth-largest by nominal GDP and eighth-largest by GDP ( PPP ) . A member of the BRICS group , Brazil until 2010 had one of the world 's fastest growing major economies , with its economic reforms giving the country new international recognition and influence . Brazil 's national development bank plays an important role for the country 's economic growth . Brazil is a founding member of the United Nations , the G20 , BRICS , Unasul , Mercosul , Organization of American States , Organization of Ibero-American States , and the CPLP . Brazil is a regional power in Latin America and a middle power in international affairs , with some analysts identifying it as an emerging global power . One of the world 's major breadbaskets , Brazil has been the largest producer of coffee for the last 150 years .


Ecuador Ecuador ( -LSB- ˈɛkwədɔːr -RSB- , -LSB- ekwaˈðor -RSB- ) ( Ikwadur ) , officially the Republic of Ecuador ( -LSB- República del Ecuador , -RSB- , which literally translates as `` Republic of the Equator '' ; Ikwadur Ripuwlika ) , is a representative democratic republic in northwestern South America , bordered by Colombia on the north , Peru on the east and south , and the Pacific Ocean to the west . Ecuador also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific , about 1000 km west of the mainland .   What is now Ecuador was home to a variety of Amerindian groups that were gradually incorporated into the Inca Empire during the 15th century . The territory was colonized by Spain during the 16th century , achieving independence in 1820 as part of Gran Colombia , from which it emerged as its own sovereign state in 1830 . The legacy of both empires is reflected in Ecuador 's ethnically diverse population , with most of its 15.2 million people being mestizos , followed by large minorities of European , Amerindian , and African descendants .   Spanish is the official language and is spoken by a majority of the population , though 13 Amerindian languages are also recognized , including Quichua and Shuar . The capital city is Quito , while the largest city is Guayaquil . In reflection of the country 's rich cultural heritage , the historical center of Quito was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 . Cuenca , the third-largest city , was also declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 as an outstanding example of a planned , inland Spanish-style colonial city in the Americas .   Ecuador has a developing economy that is highly dependent on commodities , namely petroleum and agricultural products . The country is classified as a medium-income country . Ecuador is a democratic presidential republic . The new constitution of 2008 is the first in the world to recognize legally enforceable Rights of Nature , or ecosystem rights . Ecuador is also known for its rich ecology , hosting many endemic plants and animals , such as those of the Galápagos Islands . It is one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world .


Peru Peru , is a country in western South America . It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia , in the east by Brazil , in the southeast by Bolivia , in the south by Chile , and in the west by the Pacific Ocean . Peru is an extremely biodiverse country with habitats ranging from the arid plains of the Pacific coastal region in the west to the peaks of the Andes mountains vertically extending from the north to the southeast of the country to the tropical Amazon Basin rainforest in the east with the Amazon river .   Peruvian territory was home to ancient cultures spanning from the Norte Chico civilization in Caral ( one of the oldest in the world with settlements as old as 3200 BC ) to the Inca Empire , the largest state in Pre-Columbian America . The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century and established a Viceroyalty with its capital in Lima , which included most of its South American colonies . Ideas of political autonomy later spread throughout Spanish America and Peru gained its independence , which was formally proclaimed in 1821 after the occupation by military campaigns of José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar and only after the battle of Ayacucho , three years after proclamation , Peru ensured its independence . After achieving independence , the country remained in recession and kept a low military profile until an economic rise based on the extraction of raw and maritime materials struck the country , which ended shortly before the war of the Pacific . Subsequently , the country has undergone changes in government from oligarchic to democratic systems . Peru has gone through periods of political unrest and internal conflict as well as periods of stability and economic upswing .   Peru is a representative democratic republic divided into 25 regions . It is a developing country with a high Human Development Index score and a poverty level around 25.8 percent . Its main economic activities include mining , manufacturing , agriculture and fishing .   The Peruvian population , estimated at 31.2 million in 2015 , is multiethnic , including Amerindians , Europeans , Africans and Asians . The main spoken language is Spanish , although a significant number of Peruvians speak Quechua or other native languages . This mixture of cultural traditions has resulted in a wide diversity of expressions in fields such as art , cuisine , literature , and music .   __ TOC __


Dumb and Dumber stars a Canadian-American actor.

Dumb and Dumber Dumb and Dumber is a 1994 American comedy road film starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels . It was written by the Farrelly brothers and Bennett Yellin , and is the Farrelly brothers ' directorial debut . The film tells the story of Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne , two unintelligent but well-meaning friends from Providence , Rhode Island who set out on a cross-country trip to Aspen , Colorado to return a briefcase full of money to its owner , only to be pursued by a group of criminals who are after the briefcase .   The film was released on December 16 , 1994 . It grossed $ 247 million at the box office and has developed a cult following in the years since its release . The success of Dumb and Dumber launched the career of the Farrelly brothers and solidified Carrey 's . The film also spawned an animated TV series , a 2003 prequel , and a 2014 sequel .


Jim Carrey James Eugene Carrey ( -LSB- ˈkæri -RSB- born January 17 , 1962 ) is a Canadian-American actor , comedian , impressionist , screenwriter , and producer . He is known for his highly energetic slapstick performances .   Carrey first gained recognition in 1990 after landing a recurring role in the sketch comedy television series In Living Color . His first leading roles in major productions came with Ace Ventura : Pet Detective ( 1994 ) , Dumb and Dumber ( 1994 ) , The Mask ( 1994 ) , and Ace Ventura : When Nature Calls ( 1995 ) , as well as a supporting role in Batman Forever ( 1995 ) and a lead role in Liar Liar ( 1997 ) . He then starred in The Truman Show ( 1998 ) and Man on the Moon ( 1999 ) , with each garnering him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor .   In the 2000s , he gained further recognition for his portrayal of the Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas ( 2000 ) , as well as Bruce Almighty ( 2003 ) , Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind ( 2004 ) for which he was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role , Lemony Snicket 's A Series of Unfortunate Events ( 2004 ) , Fun with Dick and Jane ( 2005 ) , Yes Man ( 2008 ) , Horton Hears a Who ! ( 2008 ) and A Christmas Carol ( 2009 ) .   In the 2010s , he has starred in Mr. Popper 's Penguins ( 2011 ) and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone ( 2013 ) . In 2013 , he appeared in Kick-Ass 2 as Colonel Stars and Stripes . He retracted support for the film two months prior to its release . He issued a statement via his Twitter account that , in light of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary , '' -LSB- N -RSB- ow in all good conscience I can not support that level of violence . '' Carrey reprised his role as Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumber To ( 2014 ) .


Katie Holmes declined to appear on How I Met Your Mother.

Katie Holmes Kate Noelle Holmes ( born December 18 , 1978 ) is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson 's Creek from 1998 to 2003 . She appeared in 1998 's Disturbing Behavior , a thriller , which won her an MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance . In 2000 Holmes featured in Wonder Boys which got positive attention from many leading critics .   Holmes had a starring role in 2003 's Pieces of April , a gritty comedy about a dysfunctional family on Thanksgiving . In the 2005 film Batman Begins , the highest-grossing film of her career to date , she played Rachel Dawes , Gotham City 's assistant district attorney and Bruce Wayne 's childhood sweetheart . She also appeared in art house films such as The Ice Storm , horror films such as Do n't Be Afraid of the Dark and thrillers including Abandon . She has also played on Broadway in a production of Arthur Miller 's All My Sons and had numerous guest roles on television programs such as How I Met Your Mother . In 2011 , she starred as Jacqueline Kennedy in the The Kennedys miniseries , a role she later reprised in the 2017 miniseries The Kennedys : After Camelot .   Her marriage to actor Tom Cruise from 2006 to 2012 led to a great deal of media attention , with the pair being called a supercouple and given the nickname `` TomKat '' .


Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Jacqueline Lee Kennedy Onassis ( née Bouvier ; -LSB- ˈbuːvieɪ -RSB- July 28 , 1929 -- May 19 , 1994 ) was the wife of the 35th President of the United States , John F. Kennedy , and First Lady of the United States from 1961 until his assassination in 1963 .   Bouvier was the elder daughter of Wall Street stockbroker John Vernou Bouvier III and socialite Janet Lee Bouvier . In 1951 , she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French literature from George Washington University and went on to work for the Washington Times-Herald as an inquiring photographer .   In 1952 , Bouvier met Congressman John F. Kennedy at a dinner party . In November of that year , he was elected as a United States Senator from Massachusetts , and the couple married in 1953 . They had four children , two of whom died in infancy . As First Lady , she was known for her highly publicized restoration of the White House and her emphasis on arts and culture . On November 22 , 1963 , she was riding with the President in a motorcade in Dallas , Texas , when he was assassinated . She and her children withdrew from public view after his funeral , and in 1968 she married Aristotle Onassis .   Following her second husband 's death in 1975 , she had a career as a book editor for the final two decades of her life . She is remembered for her lifelong contributions to the arts and preservation of historic architecture , as well as for her style , elegance , and grace . She was a fashion icon , and her famous ensemble of pink Chanel suit and matching pillbox hat has become a symbol of her husband 's assassination . She ranks as one of the most popular First Ladies and in 1999 was named on Gallup 's list of Most Admired Men and Women in 20th-century America .


Buddy Holly Buddy Holly ( born Charles Hardin Holley ; September 7 , 1936 -- February 3 , 1959 ) was an American musician and singer-songwriter who was a central figure of mid-1950s rock and roll . Holley was born in Lubbock , Texas , to a musical family during the Great Depression ; he learned to play guitar and to sing alongside his siblings . His style was influenced by gospel music , country music , and rhythm and blues acts , and he performed in Lubbock with his friends from high school . He made his first appearance on local television in 1952 , and the following year he formed the group `` Buddy and Bob '' with his friend Bob Montgomery . In 1955 , after opening for Elvis Presley , Holly decided to pursue a career in music . He opened for Presley three times that year ; his band 's style shifted from country and western to entirely rock and roll . In October that year , when he opened for Bill Haley & His Comets , Holly was spotted by Nashville scout Eddie Crandall , who helped him get a contract with Decca Records .   Holly 's recording sessions at Decca were produced by Owen Bradley . Unhappy with Bradley 's control in the studio and with the sound he achieved there , Holly went to producer Norman Petty in Clovis , New Mexico , and recorded a demo of `` That 'll Be the Day '' , among other songs . Petty became the band 's manager and sent the demo to Brunswick Records , which released it as a single credited to `` The Crickets '' , which became the name of Holly 's band . In September 1957 , as the band toured , `` That 'll Be the Day '' topped the US `` Best Sellers in Stores '' chart and the UK Singles Chart . Its success was followed in October by another major hit , `` Peggy Sue '' .   The album Chirping Crickets , released in November 1957 , reached number five on the UK Albums Chart . Holly made his second appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in January 1958 and soon after , toured Australia and then the UK . In early 1959 , Holly assembled a new band , consisting of future country music star Waylon Jennings ( bass ) , famed session musician Tommy Allsup ( guitar ) , and Carl Bunch ( drums ) , and embarked on a tour of the midwestern U.S. . After a show in Clear Lake , Iowa , Holly chartered an airplane to travel to his next show , in Moorhead , Minnesota . Soon after takeoff , the plane crashed , killing Holly , Ritchie Valens , The Big Bopper , and pilot Roger Peterson in a tragedy later referred to by Don McLean as `` The Day the Music Died '' .   During his short career , Holly wrote , recorded , and produced his own material . He is often regarded as the artist who defined the traditional rock-and-roll lineup of two guitars , bass , and drums . Holly was a major influence on later popular music artists , including The Beatles , The Rolling Stones , Eric Clapton , and Elton John . He was among the first artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , in 1986 . Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 13 in its list of `` 100 Greatest Artists '' .


Peggy Sue `` Peggy Sue '' is a rock-and-roll song written by Buddy Holly , Jerry Allison , and Norman Petty , recorded and released as a single by Holly in early July of 1957 . The Crickets are not mentioned on label of the single ( Coral 9-61885 ) , but band members Joe B. Mauldin ( string bass ) and Jerry Allison ( drums ) played on the recording . This recording was also released on Holly 's eponymous 1958 album .


Con Man (web series) Con Man is an American comedy web series created , written , directed by , and starring Alan Tudyk . The series follows cult science fiction actor Wray Nerely ( Tudyk ) , as he tours the convention circuit . Tudyk , one of the stars of the 2002 science fiction TV show Firefly , based Con Man loosely upon his own experiences . The series is co-produced by PJ Haarsma and by Nathan Fillion , who also co-stars in it . Crowdfunded through Indiegogo , Con Man set records for crowdfunding a web series by raising more than $ 1 million in 24 hours and more than $ 3.1 million overall .   The series premiered on September 30 , 2015 , on Vimeo , with the first season consisting of 13 episodes . The second season premiered on December 8 , 2016 on Comic-Con HQ , Comic-Con 's subscription streaming video service , consisted of 12 episodes , and concluded on January 26 , 2017 .


Joseph Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin ( -LSB- ˈstɑːlɪn -RSB- 18 December 1878 -- 5 March 1953 ) was a Soviet revolutionary , politician and political theorist . He governed the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953 . In this capacity , he served as the Premier of the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1953 and as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1952 . Ideologically a Marxist and a Leninist , he helped to formalise these ideas as Marxism-Leninism while his own policies and theories became known as Stalinism .   Stalin was born to a poor Georgian family in Gori , Russian Empire . After an education at Tiflis Spiritual Seminary , he joined the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party . Affiliated with Vladimir Lenin 's Bolshevik faction , he raised funds via underground activities such as the 1907 Tiflis bank robbery . After the Bolsheviks seized power in 1917 and established a one-party state , Stalin sat on the Politburo during the Russian Civil War . In 1922 Stalin became General Secretary and established the Soviet Union . Despite Lenin 's objection , power consolidated around Stalin and opposition removed following Lenin 's death in 1924 . During Stalin 's tenure the concept of `` Socialism in One Country '' became a central tenet of Soviet society , and a cult of personality developed around Stalin . Lenin 's New Economic Policy was replaced with a centralised command economy , industrialisation and collectivisation . These rapidly transformed the country from an agrarian society into an industrial power , but disrupted food production and contributed to the famine of 1933 -- 34 . Between 1934 and 1939 , Stalin organised the `` Great Purge '' , in which millions of so-called `` enemies of the working class '' , including senior political and military figures , were interned in Gulag-run prisons , exiled or executed , often without due process .   In August 1939 Stalin entered a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany , resulting in their invasion of Poland in September of that year . Germany ended the pact by invading the Soviet Union in 1941 . Despite initial setbacks , the Soviet Red Army halted the German incursion and captured Berlin in May 1945 , ending World War II in Europe . The Soviet Union annexed the Baltic states and backed the establishment of pro-Soviet Marxist governments both throughout Eastern Europe and in China , North Korea , and North Vietnam . The Soviet Union and United States emerged as the two world superpowers , and a period of tensions began between the Soviet-backed Eastern Bloc and U.S.-backed Western Bloc known as the Cold War . Stalin led the Soviet Union through its post-war reconstruction phase , during which it became the second country to develop a nuclear weapon , as well as launching the Great Plan for the Transformation of Nature in response to another major famine and the Great Construction Projects of Communism . Stalin died in 1953 and was succeeded by Nikita Khrushchev , who denounced Stalin and initiated a de-Stalinisation process .   Stalin is widely considered one of the most significant and influential figures of the 20th century . Stalinism influenced various Marxist-Leninist groups and governments across the world , for whom Stalin was a champion of socialism and the working class . After the fall of the Soviet Union , Stalin has been praised by supporters for his role in defeating Nazi Germany and establishing the Soviet Union as a major world power . Critics emphasise his role in causing millions of deaths and numerous political , religious and ethnic repressions .


Moscow Moscow is the capital and most populous city of Russia , with 13.2 million residents within the city limits and 17.8 million within the urban area . Moscow has the status of a Russian federal city .   Moscow is a major political , economic , cultural , and scientific centre of Russia and Eastern Europe , as well as the largest city entirely on the European continent . By broader definitions Moscow is among the world 's largest cities , being the 14th largest metro area , the 18th largest agglomeration , the 15th largest urban area , and the 11th largest by population within city limits worldwide . According to Forbes 2013 , Moscow has been ranked as the ninth most expensive city in the world by Mercer and has one of the world 's largest urban economies , being ranked as an alpha global city according to the Globalization and World Cities Research Network , and is also one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world according to the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index . Moscow is the northernmost and coldest megacity and metropolis on Earth . It is home to the Ostankino Tower , the tallest free standing structure in Europe ; the Federation Tower , the tallest skyscraper in Europe ; and the Moscow International Business Center . By its territorial expansion on July 1 , 2012 southwest into the Moscow Oblast , the area of the capital more than doubled , going from 1091 to , and it gained an additional population of 233,000 people .  Moscow is situated on the Moskva River in the Central Federal District of European Russia , making it the world 's most populated inland city . The city is well known for its architecture , particularly its historic buildings such as Saint Basil 's Cathedral with its brightly coloured domes . With over 40 percent of its territory covered by greenery , it is one of the greenest capitals and major cities in Europe and the world , having the largest forest in an urban area within its borders -- more than any other major city -- even before its expansion in 2012 .  The city has served as the capital of a progression of states , from the medieval Grand Duchy of Moscow and the subsequent Tsardom of Russia to the Russian Empire to the Soviet Union and the contemporary Russian Federation . Moscow is considered the centre of Russian culture , having served as the home of Russian artists , scientists and sports figures and because of the presence of museums , academic and political institutions and theatres .   Moscow is the seat of power of the Government of Russia , being the site of the Moscow Kremlin , a medieval city-fortress that is today the residence for work of the President of Russia . The Moscow Kremlin and Red Square are also one of several World Heritage Sites in the city . Both chambers of the Russian parliament ( the State Duma and the Federation Council ) also sit in the city .   The city is served by a transit network , which includes four international airports , nine railway terminals , numerous trams , a monorail system and one of the deepest underground rapid transit systems in the world , the Moscow Metro , the fourth-largest in the world and largest outside of Asia in terms of passenger numbers , and the busiest in Europe . It is recognised as one of the city 's landmarks due to the rich architecture of its 200 stations .   Moscow has acquired a number of epithets , most referring to its size and preeminent status within the nation : The Third Rome , The Whitestone One , The First Throne , The Forty Forties , and The Hero City . In old Russian the word '' Сорок '' ( forty ) also meant a church administrative district , which consisted of about forty churches . The demonym for a Moscow resident is '' москвич '' ( moskvich ) for male or '' москвичка '' ( moskvichka ) for female , rendered in English as Muscovite .


Stuart Sutcliffe was not the original bass player of the Beatles.

The Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960 . With members John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr , they became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential act of the rock era . Rooted in skiffle , beat and 1950s rock and roll , the Beatles later experimented with several musical styles , ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock , often incorporating classical elements and unconventional recording techniques in innovative ways . In 1963 their enormous popularity first emerged as `` Beatlemania '' , and as the group 's music grew in sophistication in subsequent years , led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney , they came to be perceived as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the counterculture of the 1960s .   The Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over a three-year period from 1960 , with Stuart Sutcliffe initially serving as bass player . The core of Lennon , McCartney and Harrison went through a succession of drummers , including Pete Best , before asking Starr to join them in 1962 . Manager Brian Epstein moulded them into a professional act , and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings , greatly expanding their popularity in the United Kingdom after their first hit , `` Love Me Do '' , in late 1962 . They acquired the nickname `` the Fab Four '' as Beatlemania grew in Britain the next year , and by early 1964 became international stars , leading the `` British Invasion '' of the United States pop market . From 1965 onwards , the Beatles produced increasingly innovative recordings , including the albums Rubber Soul ( 1965 ) , Revolver ( 1966 ) , Sgt. Pepper 's Lonely Hearts Club Band ( 1967 ) , The Beatles ( commonly known as the White Album , 1968 ) and Abbey Road ( 1969 ) . After their break-up in 1970 , they each enjoyed successful musical careers of varying lengths . McCartney and Starr , the surviving members , remain musically active . Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980 , and Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001 .   The Beatles are the best-selling band in history , with estimated sales of over 600 million records worldwide . They have had more number-one albums on the British charts and sold more singles in the UK than any other act . According to the RIAA , the Beatles are also the best-selling music artists in the United States , with 178 million certified units . In 2008 , the group topped Billboard magazine 's list of the all-time most successful `` Hot 100 '' artists ; , they hold the record for most number-one hits on the Hot 100 chart with twenty . They have received ten Grammy Awards , an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards . The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 , and all four were inducted individually from 1994 to 2015 . They were also collectively included in Time magazine 's compilation of the twentieth century 's 100 most influential people .


Super Bowl The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League ( NFL ) . The game is the culmination to a regular season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year . Normally , Roman numerals are used to identify each game , rather than the year in which it is held . For example , Super Bowl I was played on January 15 , 1967 , following the 1966 regular season . The single exception to this rule is Super Bowl 50 , which was played on February 7 , 2016 , following the 2015 regular season . The next game , Super Bowl LII , scheduled for February 4 , 2018 , will follow the 2017 regular season .   The game was created as part of a merger agreement between the NFL and its then-rival league , the American Football League ( AFL ) . It was agreed that the two leagues ' champion teams would play in the AFL -- NFL World Championship Game until the merger was to officially begin in 1970 . After the merger , each league was redesignated as a `` conference '' , and the game has since been played between the conference champions to determine the NFL 's league champion . Currently , the National Football Conference ( NFC ) leads the league with 26 wins to 25 wins for the American Football Conference ( AFC ) . The Pittsburgh Steelers have the most Super Bowl championship titles , with six . The New England Patriots have the most Super Bowl appearances , with nine .   The day on which the Super Bowl is played , now considered by some as an unofficial American national holiday , is called `` Super Bowl Sunday '' . It is the second-largest day for U.S. food consumption , after Thanksgiving Day . In addition , the Super Bowl has frequently been the most-watched American television broadcast of the year ; the seven most-watched broadcasts in U.S. television history are Super Bowls . In 2015 , Super Bowl XLIX became the most-watched American television program in history with an average audience of 114.4 million viewers , the fifth time in six years the game had set a record , starting with the 2010 Super Bowl , which itself had taken over the number-one spot held for 27 years by the final episode of M * A * S * H . The Super Bowl is also among the most-watched sporting events in the world , almost all audiences being North American , and is second to soccer 's UEFA Champions League final as the most watched annual sporting event worldwide .   The NFL restricts the use of its `` Super Bowl '' trademark ; it is frequently called the Big Game or other generic terms by non-sponsoring corporations . Because of the high viewership , commercial airtime during the Super Bowl broadcast is the most expensive of the year , leading to companies regularly developing their most expensive advertisements for this broadcast . As a result , watching and discussing the broadcast 's commercials has become a significant aspect of the event . In addition , popular singers and musicians including Michael Jackson , Madonna , Prince , Beyoncé , Paul McCartney , The Rolling Stones , The Who , Whitney Houston , and Lady Gaga have performed during the event 's pre-game and halftime ceremonies .


Tom Brady Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. ( born August 3 , 1977 ) is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He is one of only two players to win five Super Bowls ( the other being Charles Haley ) , the only quarterback to win five and the only player to win them all playing for one team .   After playing college football for the University of Michigan , Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft . In Brady 's 15 seasons as a starter , he has quarterbacked the Patriots to seven Super Bowl appearances , the most for any player in history .   Brady has been honored with four Super Bowl MVP awards ( Super Bowl XXXVI , XXXVIII , XLIX , and LI ) , the most ever by a single player , has won two league MVP awards ( 2007 and 2010 ) , has been selected to 12 Pro Bowls , and has led his team to more division titles ( 14 ) than any other quarterback in NFL history . As of the end of the 2016 season , Brady is fourth all-time in career passing yards , fourth in career touchdown passes , and third in career passer rating . His career postseason record is 25 -- 9 , winning more playoff games than any other quarterback , and he has appeared in more playoff games than any player at any position . Brady has never had a losing season as a starting quarterback in the NFL . His 208 combined regular-season and postseason wins are also the most of any quarterback in NFL history .  Because of his accomplishments and accolades , many analysts and sportswriters consider Brady to be among the greatest quarterbacks of all time . Due to his late draft selection , Brady is considered to be the biggest `` steal '' in the history of the NFL Draft .   For his alleged involvement in the highly publicized Deflategate football tampering scandal , Brady was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 NFL season . Subsequently , Brady went on to win Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl MVP .   Brady has been married to Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen since 2009 .


Lost Highway (film) was released in the 1990s.

Lost Highway (film) Lost Highway is a 1997 French-American film written and directed by David Lynch . It stars Bill Pullman as a man convicted of murdering his wife ( Patricia Arquette ) , after which he inexplicably morphs into a young mechanic and begins leading a new life . The movie , which has noir elements , features the last film appearances of Robert Blake , Jack Nance , and Richard Pryor , and the acting debut of Marilyn Manson .   Lynch co-wrote the screenplay with Barry Gifford , whose novel served as the basis for Lynch 's film Wild at Heart ( 1990 ) . Lynch conceived Lost Highway after the critical and box office failure of Twin Peaks : Fire Walk with Me ( 1992 ) , a film adaptation and follow-up to the cult television series Twin Peaks .   Despite receiving mixed reviews , Lost Highway has developed a cult following and is greatly admired by some critics . In 2003 , the film was adapted as an opera .


Basketball Basketball is a non-contact sport played on a rectangular court . While most often played as a team sport with five players on each side , three-on-three , two-on-two , and one-on-one competitions are also common . The objective is to shoot a ball through a hoop 18 in in diameter and 10 ft high that is mounted to a backboard at each end of the court . The game was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith , who would be the first basketball coach of the Kansas Jayhawks , one of the most successful programs in the game 's history .   A team can score a field goal by shooting the ball through the basket being defended by the opposition team during regular play . A field goal scores three points for the shooting team if the player shoots from behind the three-point line , and two points if shot from in front of the line . A team can also score via free throws , which are worth one point , after the other team is assessed with certain fouls . The team with the most points at the end of the game wins , but additional time ( overtime ) is mandated when the score is tied at the end of regulation . The ball can be advanced on the court by passing it to a teammate , or by bouncing it while walking or running ( dribbling ) . It is a violation to lift , or drag , one 's pivot foot without dribbling the ball , to carry it , or to hold the ball with both hands then resume dribbling .   The game has many individual techniques for displaying skill -- ball-handling , shooting , passing , dribbling , dunking , shot-blocking , and rebounding . Basketball teams generally have player positions , the tallest and strongest members of a team are called a center or power forward , while slightly shorter and more agile players are called small forward , and the shortest players or those who possess the best ball handling skills are called a point guard or shooting guard . The point guard directs the on court action of the team , implementing the coach 's game plan , and managing the execution of offensive and defensive plays ( player positioning ) .   Basketball is one of the world 's most popular and widely viewed sports . The National Basketball Association ( NBA ) is the most popular and widely considered to be the highest level of professional basketball in the world and NBA players are the world 's best paid athletes by average annual salary per player . Outside North America , the top clubs from national leagues qualify to continental championships such as the Euroleague and FIBA Americas League . The FIBA Basketball World Cup attracts the top national teams from around the world . Each continent hosts regional competitions for national teams , like EuroBasket and FIBA Americas Championship .   The FIBA Women 's Basketball World Cup features the top national women 's basketball teams from continental championships . The main North American league is the WNBA , whereas the EuroLeague Women has been dominated by teams from the Russian Women 's Basketball Premier League .


Howard Hughes changed the name of Air West to Hughes Airwest.

Howard Hughes Howard Robard Hughes Jr. ( December 24 , 1905 -- April 5 , 1976 ) was an American businessman , investor , pilot , film director , and philanthropist , known during his lifetime as one of the most financially successful individuals in the world . He first made a name for himself as a film producer , and then became an influential figure in the aviation industry . Later in life , he became known for his eccentric behavior and reclusive lifestyle -- oddities that were caused in part by a worsening obsessive -- compulsive disorder ( OCD ) and chronic pain from a plane crash .   As a maverick film tycoon , Hughes gained prominence in Hollywood beginning in the late 1920s , when he produced big-budget and often controversial films like The Racket ( 1928 ) , Hell 's Angels ( 1930 ) , and Scarface ( 1932 ) . Later he controlled the RKO film studio .   Hughes formed the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1932 , hiring numerous engineers and designers . He spent the rest of the 1930s setting multiple world air speed records and building the Hughes H-1 Racer and H-4 Hercules ( the `` Spruce Goose '' ) . He acquired and expanded Trans World Airlines and later acquired Air West , renaming it Hughes Airwest . Hughes was included in Flying Magazine 's list of the 51 Heroes of Aviation , ranked at 25 . Today , his legacy is maintained through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute .


Woody Allen is an American director, writer, actor, comedian, playwright, and musician.

Woody Allen Heywood `` Woody '' Allen ( born Allan Stewart Konigsberg ; December 1 , 1935 ) is an American director , writer , actor , comedian , playwright , and musician whose career spans more than six decades .   He worked as a comedy writer in the 1950s , writing jokes and scripts for television and publishing several books of short humor pieces . In the early 1960s , Allen began performing as a stand-up comedian , emphasizing monologues rather than traditional jokes . As a comedian , he developed the persona of an insecure , intellectual , fretful nebbish , which he maintains is quite different from his real-life personality . In 2004 , Comedy Central ranked Allen in fourth place on a list of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians , while a UK survey ranked Allen as the third greatest comedian .   By the mid-1960s Allen was writing and directing films , first specializing in slapstick comedies before moving into dramatic material influenced by European art cinema during the 1970s , and alternating between comedies and dramas to the present . He is often identified as part of the New Hollywood wave of filmmakers of the mid-1960s to late 1970s . Allen often stars in his films , typically in the persona he developed as a standup . Some of the best-known of his over 40 films are Annie Hall ( 1977 ) , Manhattan ( 1979 ) , and Hannah and Her Sisters ( 1986 ) . In 2007 he said Stardust Memories ( 1980 ) , The Purple Rose of Cairo ( 1985 ) , and Match Point ( 2005 ) were his best films . Critic Roger Ebert described Allen as `` a treasure of the cinema '' .   Allen won four Academy Awards : three for Best Original Screenplay and one for Best Director ( Annie Hall ) . He also won nine British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards . His screenplay for Annie Hall was named the funniest screenplay by the Writers Guild of America in its list of the `` 101 Funniest Screenplays . '' In 2011 , PBS televised the film biography Woody Allen : A Documentary on the American Masters TV series .


Sylvester Stallone was nominated for The Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1977.

Sylvester Stallone Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone ( -LSB- stəˈloʊn -RSB- -LSB- stalˈloːne -RSB- ; born July 6 , 1946 ) is an American actor , filmmaker , and screenwriter . He is well known for his Hollywood action roles , including boxer Rocky Balboa , the title character of the Rocky series ' seven films from 1976 to 2015 ; soldier John Rambo from the four Rambo films , released between 1982 and 2008 ; and Barney Ross in the three The Expendables films from 2010 to 2014 . He wrote or co-wrote most of the 14 films in all three franchises , and directed many of the films .   Stallone 's film Rocky was inducted into the National Film Registry as well as having its film props placed in the Smithsonian Museum . Stallone 's use of the front entrance to the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Rocky series led the area to be nicknamed the Rocky Steps . Philadelphia has a statue of his Rocky character placed permanently near the museum . It was announced on December 7 , 2010 that Stallone was voted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the non-participant category .   In 1977 , Stallone was nominated for two Academy Awards for Rocky , Best Original Screenplay and Best Actor . He became the third man in history to receive these two nominations for the same film , after Charles Chaplin and Orson Welles . He received critical raves , as well as his first Golden Globe Award win and third Academy Award nomination , for reprising the role of Rocky Balboa in Ryan Coogler 's 2015 film Creed .


The Midwestern United States includes Nebraska.

Omaha, Nebraska Omaha ( -LSB- ˈoʊməhɑː -RSB- ) is the largest city in the state of Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County . Omaha is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River , about 10 mi north of the mouth of the Platte River . Omaha is the anchor of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area , which includes Council Bluffs , Iowa , across the Missouri River from Omaha . According to the 2010 census , Omaha 's population was 408,958 , making it the nation 's 43rd-largest city . According to the 2014 Population Estimates , Omaha 's population was 446,599 . Including its suburbs , Omaha formed the 60th-largest metropolitan area in the United States in 2013 , with an estimated population of 895,151 residing in eight counties . The Omaha-Council Bluffs-Fremont , Nebraska-IA Combined Statistical Area is 931,667 , according to the U.S. Census Bureau 's 2013 estimate . There are nearly 1.3 million residents within the Greater Omaha area , comprising a 50-mile ( 80 km ) radius of Downtown Omaha , the city 's center .   Omaha 's pioneer period began in 1854 , when the city was founded by speculators from neighboring Council Bluffs , Iowa . The city was founded along the Missouri River , and a crossing called Lone Tree Ferry earned the city its nickname , the `` Gateway to the West '' . Omaha introduced this new West to the world in 1898 , when it played host to the World 's Fair , dubbed the Trans-Mississippi Exposition . During the 19th century , Omaha 's central location in the United States spurred the city to become an important national transportation hub . Throughout the rest of the 19th century , the transportation and jobbing sectors were important in the city , along with its railroads and breweries . In the 20th century , the Omaha Stockyards , once the world 's largest , and its meatpacking plants gained international prominence .   Today , Omaha is the home to the headquarters of four Fortune 500 companies : mega-conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway ; one of the world 's largest construction companies , Kiewit Corporation ; insurance and financial firm Mutual of Omaha ; and the United States ' largest railroad operator , Union Pacific Corporation . Berkshire Hathaway is headed by local investor Warren Buffett , one of the richest people in the world , according to a decade 's worth of Forbes Magazine rankings , some of which have ranked him as high as No. 1 . Omaha is also the home to five Fortune 1000 headquarters : Green Plains Renewable Energy , TD Ameritrade , Valmont Industries , Werner Enterprises , and West Corporation . Also headquartered in Omaha are First National Bank of Omaha , the largest privately held bank in the United States ; three of the nation 's largest 10 architecture/engineering firms : DLR Group , HDR , Inc. , and Leo A Daly ; the Gallup Organization , of Gallup Poll fame ; and its riverfront Gallup University . Enron began in Omaha as Northern Natural Gas in 1930 , before taking over a smaller Houston company in 1985 to form InterNorth , which Kenneth Lay moved permanently to Houston , in 1987 .   The modern economy of Omaha is diverse and built on skilled knowledge jobs . In 2009 , Forbes identified Omaha as the nation 's number one `` Best Bang-For-The Buck City '' and ranked it number one on `` America 's Fastest-Recovering Cities '' list . Tourism in Omaha benefits the city 's economy greatly , with the annual College World Series and Triple Crown SlumpBuster providing important revenue and the city 's Henry Doorly Zoo serving as the top attraction in Nebraska as well as being named the best zoo in the world by Trip Advisor in 2014 . Omaha hosted the U.S. Olympic swim trials in 2008 , 2012 , 2016 , and will host them again in 2020 .   Notable modern Omaha inventions include : the bobby pin and the `` pink hair curler '' , at Omaha 's Tip Top ; Butter Brickle Ice Cream and the Reuben sandwich , conceived by a chef at the then-Blackstone Hotel on 36th and Farnam Streets ; cake mix , developed by Duncan Hines , then a division of Omaha 's Nebraska Consolidated Mills , the forerunner to today 's ConAgra Foods ; center-pivot irrigation by the Omaha company now known as Valmont Corporation ; Raisin Bran , developed by Omaha 's Skinner Macaroni Co. ; the ski lift , in 1936 , by Omaha 's Union Pacific Corp ; the `` Top 40 '' radio format , pioneered by Todd Storz , scion of Omaha 's Storz Brewing Co. , and head of Storz Broadcasting , which was the first in the U.S. to use the `` Top 40 '' format at Omaha 's KOWH Radio ; and the TV dinner , developed by Omaha 's Carl Swanson Co. .


Midwestern United States The Midwestern United States , also referred to as the American Midwest or simply the Midwest , is one of the four geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau , occupying the northern central part of the United States of America . It was officially named the North Central region by the Census Bureau until 1984 .   Although the region is often defined in a number of ways , the Census Bureau 's definition consists of 12 states in the north central United States : Illinois , Indiana , Iowa , Kansas , Michigan , Minnesota , Missouri , Nebraska , North Dakota , Ohio , South Dakota , and Wisconsin . Illinois is the most populous of the states and North Dakota the least . A 2012 report from the United States Census put the population of the Midwest at 65,377,684 . The Midwest is divided by the Census Bureau into two divisions . The East North Central Division includes Illinois , Indiana , Michigan , Ohio and Wisconsin , all of which are also part of the Great Lakes region . The West North Central Division includes Iowa , Kansas , Minnesota , Missouri , North Dakota , Nebraska , and South Dakota , several of which are located at least partly , within the Great Plains region . Major rivers in the region include , from east to west , the Ohio River , the Upper Mississippi River , and the Missouri River . The region generally lies on the broad Interior Plain between the states occupying the Appalachian Mountain range and the states occupying the Rocky Mountain range .   Chicago is the most populated city in the American Midwest and the third most populous in the entire country . Other large Midwest cities include ( in order by population ) : Indianapolis , Columbus , Detroit , Milwaukee , Kansas City , Omaha , Minneapolis , Cleveland , Wichita and St. Louis . Chicago and its suburbs form the largest metropolitan statistical area with 9.8 million people , followed by Metro Detroit , Minneapolis -- St. Paul , Greater St. Louis , Greater Cleveland , Greater Cincinnati ( without the Kentucky portion ) , Kansas City metro area , and the Columbus metro area .


Akira Toriyama achieved mainstream unknown status for Dr. Slump.

Akira Toriyama is a Japanese manga and game artist . He first achieved mainstream recognition for his highly successful manga Dr. Slump , before going on to create Dragon Ball -- his best-known work -- and acting as a character designer for several popular video games such as the Dragon Quest series , Blue Dragon and Chrono Trigger . Toriyama is regarded as one of the artists that changed the history of manga , as his works are highly influential and popular , particularly Dragon Ball , which many manga artists cite as a source of inspiration .   He earned the 1981 Shogakukan Manga Award for best shōnen or shōjo manga with Dr. Slump , and it went on to sell over 35 million copies in Japan . It was adapted into a successful anime series , with a second anime created in 1997 , 13 years after the manga ended . His next series , Dragon Ball , would become one of the most popular and successful manga in the world . Having sold more than 240 million copies worldwide , it is the second best-selling manga of all time and is considered to be one of the main reasons for the period when manga circulation was at its highest in the mid-1980s and mid-1990s . Overseas , Dragon Balls anime adaptations have been more successful than the manga and are credited with boosting anime 's popularity in the Western world .


BRIT School is supported by the British Government.

BRIT School The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology is a British performing arts and technology school located in Selhurst , Croydon , in the London Borough of Croydon , England , with a mandate to provide education and vocational training for the performing arts , media , art and design and the technologies that make performance possible . Selective in its intake , the school is notable for its numerous famous alumni including Marsha Ambrosius , Adele , Tara McDonald , Leo the Lion , Stefan Abingdon , Katy B , The Feeling , Imogen Heap , Jessie J , Cush Jumbo , Rizzle Kicks , the Kooks , King Krule , Loyle Carner , Leona Lewis , Eman Kellam , Raye , Ashley Madekwe , Katie Melua , Kate Nash , Shingai Shoniwa , Amy Winehouse , Ella Eyre , Rainy Milo , Antonio Orozco , and Tom Holland .   Established in 1992 under the CTC programme , the school is funded by the British Government with support from the British Record Industry Trust and maintains an independent school status from the local education authority . The school is remarkable as being one of only two performing arts and technology schools in the country that are free to attend , the others being both in the West Midlands . Walsall Studio School and Birmingham Ormiston Academy .


Good Will Hunting's cast included American actor Stellan Skarsgård.

Good Will Hunting Good Will Hunting is a 1997 American drama film , directed by Gus Van Sant , and starring Robin Williams , Matt Damon , Ben Affleck , Minnie Driver and Stellan Skarsgård . Written by Affleck and Damon ( and with Damon in the title role ) , the film follows 20-year-old South Boston laborer Will Hunting , an unrecognized genius who , as part of a deferred prosecution agreement after assaulting a police officer , becomes a client of a therapist and studies advanced mathematics with a renowned professor . Through his therapy sessions , Will re-evaluates his relationships with his best friend , his girlfriend and himself , facing the significant task of confronting his past and thinking about his future .   The film received positive reviews and was a financial success . It grossed over US$ 225 million during its theatrical run with only a modest $ 10 million budget . It was nominated for nine Academy Awards , including the Academy Award for Best Picture , and won two : Best Supporting Actor for Williams and Best Original Screenplay for Affleck and Damon .   After Williams ' death in 2014 , it was ranked at number 53 in The Hollywood Reporters `` 100 Favorite Films '' list .