Mr Amit

15/03/2025

15/03/2025

On this day in 1931, a teenage girl made history in a way that no one saw coming. Jackie Mitchell, the 17-year-old pitcher for the Chattanooga Lookouts, took the mound and did the unthinkable: she struck out baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in an exhibition game. This feat, which sounds like something out of a Hollywood movie, is very real and showcases the incredible talent Mitchell possessed.
From a young age, Mitchell's potential was evident. Living next door to future Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Dazzy Vance, she learned to pitch using his special "drop ball" technique. Her skills quickly advanced, and by 17, she was playing for a women's team, attending a baseball school in Atlanta, and catching the eye of the Chattanooga Lookouts. In 1931, she signed one of the first professional baseball contracts given to a woman.— in New York, NY, United States.
Mitchell's moment of fame came swiftly that season, but her triumph was short-lived. Despite her impressive performance against Ruth and Gehrig, the baseball commissioner soon voided her contract, deeming the sport "too strenuous" for women. Undeterred, Mitchell continued to play professionally with traveling teams until her retirement in 1937.
Jackie Mitchell's story is a testament to breaking barriers and challenging norms. Her legacy reminds us that talent knows no gender, even if the world isn't always ready to accept it.
Credit Goes To The Respective Owner

15/03/2025

It's almost 700 years old and has spent each of those years balanced on a narrow corbelled wall.
The Eschif in Périgueux in France, was a lookout for a toll bridge.
It's an oak timber frame building with wattle & daub infill, built in 1347.
The building is balanced on the narrow ramparts of Puy-Saint-Front (the medieval centre of Périgueux) supported on oak struts along its length.

15/03/2025

"Myra: A Jewel of Ancient Lycia"
The ancient city of Myra, located near modern Demre in Antalya, Turkey, stands as one of the most impressive archaeological sites of Lycia. Dating back to the 5th century BCE, Myra was a thriving city known for its rock-cut tombs, theater, and its connection to St. Nicholas, the historical figure who inspired the legend of Santa Claus. The site is famous for its Lycian rock tombs, which are carved into the cliffs, with elaborate facades resembling temple structures. These tombs, dating from the 4th century BCE, are an architectural marvel, reflecting the grandeur and spiritual life of the Lycians.
At the heart of Myra lies the ancient theater, a remarkable structure with seating for thousands, showcasing the city's importance as a cultural hub in the region. Myra's historical significance is also marked by its role as a major port and its connection to early Christianity. The church of St. Nicholas in Demre is a pilgrimage site, as it is believed to be the final resting place of St. Nicholas, who served as the Bishop of Myra. Today, Myra remains a fascinating archaeological site that provides insight into ancient Lycian culture, religion, and the early history of Christianity, offering visitors a unique glimpse into this ancient Mediterranean world.

15/03/2025

Only Rembrandt could capture hands with such remarkable precision. This close-up, from "Young Scholar and his Tutor" (1629-30), showcases his mastery in portraying intricate details and lifelike textures.

15/03/2025

In the Spanish province of Jaén, the town of Baños de la Encina is home to the old Burgalimar Castle. The castle was built around 967 AD, according to a marble inscription plaque near the entrance. Currently on display at National Archaeological Museum of Madrid is the marble plaque. To protect the Guadalquivir River valley and the routes leading to and from Córdoba, the capital of the country, the castle was constructed as a military outpost and garrison. The castle is made out of a sizable walled enclosure that is roughly 50 meters wide and 100 meters long, with an uneven shape.

15/03/2025

The oldest surviving wheel known is the Ljubljana Marshes Wheel, discovered by archaeologists in 2002 near Ljubljana, Slovenia. The wheel, which was found near the settlement known as Stare Gmajne, has been dated to around 3,150 BCE.
The wheel was found along with its axle, preserved in the mud of the Ljubljansko barje – an area of peat bog near the Slovenian capital. It belonged to a community that lived in pile-dwellings (houses built on stilts in the marshes). It was older than the previous record holder (a wooden wheel found in Germany) by more than a century.
Despite its great antiquity, the wheel appears to have been made with considerable skill, presumably by someone with extensive experience making such things. The body of the wheel is formed from two thick planks of ash, jointed with a tongue and groove and cut into a circle. This solid disc is reinforced with ash battens hammered into precisely cut grooves at a 90 degree angle to the grain direction in the main planks. The axle is made from oak, and fits into a square hole in the center of the wheel.
This combination of ash (hard-wearing and with excellent dimensional stability) and oak (extremely strong and resistant to bending) would remain the standard wood choice for wheelwrights across much of Europe until the early 20th century.
The wheel is thought to have originated in the ancient near east around 5,000 BCE, but no examples of actual wheels from this period have survived.

15/03/2025

In 1926, a 15-year-old Ginger Rogers was photographed performing in her "Valencia" dance act as part of the vaudeville team Ginger and Her Redheads. Even at this young age, she was already demonstrating the remarkable talent that would later define her career. The photograph captures her youthful enthusiasm and the grace that would become her signature, reflecting the vibrant energy she brought to every performance.
That same year, Rogers earned the title of Texas State Charleston Champion, a testament to her exceptional dancing skills and rising star power. Her early success in vaudeville and dance competitions laid the foundation for her future achievements in Hollywood, where she would become one of the most beloved stars of her time. Rogers quickly stood out for her ability to combine charm, skill, and style, making her an undeniable force in the entertainment world.
Rogers' time with Ginger and Her Redheads marked a pivotal moment in her career, providing her with valuable experience and exposure that would later help her transition to the silver screen. This early photograph captures a young talent on the cusp of greatness, showcasing the beginnings of a legendary career in both film and dance.

14/03/2025

In 2005, a six-month-old kitten named Oscar was adopted by a nursing home in the US to be raised as a therapy cat. However, the workers noticed something peculiar about him.
While Oscar usually preferred to be alone, he occasionally crawled into a resident's bed and snuggled beside them.
The eerie thing about this is that the resident that Oscar would cuddle with would usually die within hours.
Initially, the staff didn't think much of it, but after this happened 20 times, they started to believe that Oscar knew when someone was close to passing away, and so when they noticed the cat next to a resident, they would call their loved ones to warn them.
Researchers speculate that Oscar could smell biochemicals released by dying cells and so chose to comfort lonely residents.
On one occasion, the staff was convinced that a resident was about to pass away, but Oscar refused to sit with them. Instead, he chose another resident who looked healthier, and that person passed away first.
Oscar died in 2022, and over the course of his life he accurately predicted over 100 deaths.

14/03/2025

Imagine being just 19 years old, pregnant, and stranded in the middle of the ocean—while your husband, the ship’s captain, lay gravely ill.
That was the reality for Mary Ann Brown Patten, the first woman to command an American merchant ship in the 19th century.
Born in Massachusetts in 1837, Mary Ann married young—just 16—tying the knot with clipper ship captain Joshua Patten. But unlike most wives of her time, she didn’t just wave from the dock. She learned how to sail, navigate, and chart a course across the sea.
In 1856, while on a 123-day voyage from New York to San Francisco, her husband collapsed with tuberculosis. The first mate had already been dismissed for dereliction of duty. The second mate wasn’t experienced enough to lead.
So Mary Ann took command.
For 56 terrifying days, she faced fierce storms, navigated dangerous waters, calmed an attempted mutiny—and cared for her dying husband—all while pregnant.
She brought the ship safely to port.
But despite her heroism, she received no official recognition. And just a few years later, at age 25, she died—possibly from the same illness that took her husband.
History almost forgot her. But now we remember.
She was not just a captain’s wife.
She was the captain.

14/03/2025

At the time of his passing in 1957, Humphrey Bogart had accumulated a fortune of approximately $5 million, which would be around $50 million today when adjusted for inflation. This wealth was a result of his long and successful Hollywood career, where he became one of the most respected and highest-paid actors of his time. From his early days in supporting roles to becoming a leading man in some of cinema's most legendary films, Bogart's financial standing reflected his impact on the industry.
Bogart's rise to fame was solidified with roles in "High Sierra" and "The Maltese Falcon" in 1941, which showcased his ability to portray tough, morally complex characters. However, it was his performance as Rick Blaine in "Casablanca" (1942) that cemented his status as an icon. His success continued with films such as "To Have and Have Not," "The Big Sleep," and "Key Largo," where he starred alongside his wife, Lauren Bacall. His career reached its peak when he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "The African Queen" (1951).
Unlike many actors of his era, Bogart sought greater control over his career and finances. In 1948, he founded Santana Productions, a bold move that allowed him to produce films like "Knock on Any Door" and "In a Lonely Place." While the company was ultimately dissolved, it demonstrated his business acumen and desire for creative independence. He also invested wisely in real estate, stocks, and various financial ventures, ensuring his wealth extended beyond acting.
Bogart’s personal life was closely tied to his financial decisions. His marriage to Lauren Bacall was one of Hollywood’s most enduring love stories. They had two children, Stephen and Leslie, and lived in a lavish home in Los Angeles. His estate planning was meticulous, ensuring his family was well provided for. Bacall received a trust fund that granted her financial stability, allowing her to maintain their shared lifestyle and care for their children.
Upon Bogart’s passing from esophageal cancer at the age of 57, his assets, including his real estate holdings, investments, and royalties, were distributed through his estate plan. Bacall, as the primary beneficiary, gained control over much of his fortune. However, provisions were also made for their children, with trusts set up to secure their future.
Bacall herself managed their wealth with care and ensured their children inherited a stable financial legacy. By the time of her death in 2014, her estate was valued at approximately $26.6 million. She left specific bequests, including $250,000 to each of her grandsons for education and $10,000 to her son Sam for the care of her dog, Sophie. The remaining estate, including what she had inherited from Bogart, was divided equally among Stephen, Leslie, and Sam.
The handling of Bogart’s estate exemplifies the significance of estate planning, particularly in marriages with significant wealth and age differences. His foresight ensured that Bacall and their children remained financially secure long after his passing. His legacy, both as an actor and as a prudent planner, allowed his family to maintain their lifestyle and continue benefiting from the fortune he built. His approach not only protected his loved ones but also prevented potential disputes over his wealth, making his financial legacy as enduring as his cinematic one.

14/03/2025

“In August of 1930, Mr. Wakefield and I bought a lovely old Cape Cod house, built in 1709 on the outskirts of Whitman, Massachusetts. At one time it was used as a toll house, where passengers ate, changed horses, and paid toll. It was here that we started our inn, calling it The Toll House.”
Ruth Graves Wakefield served as chef at The Toll House, where her kitchen became famous for many delicacies, including lobster dishes and thin butterscotch nut cookies with ice cream.
But Ruth, ever the innovator, decided to try something new one day. Using a semi-sweet chocolate bar from Nestle, she cut small pieces of chocolate and added them to the dough. She expected the chocolate to melt in the oven, but the pieces didn’t. They kept their shape and even softened.
She named her cookie the “Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookie.” And these cookies became popular with guests. So popular that newspapers around New England began publishing their recipe.
Then during WWII, soldiers from Massachusetts received cookies in their care packages from families, which they shared with fellow soldiers, who also fell in love with Ruth’s cookies. These soldiers reached out to their families with requests for the cookies, growing their popularity beyond New England.
As the cookies grew in popularity, Nestle noticed that sales of their chocolate bars used in making the cookies also increased. Nestle offered to buy the recipe rights and name from Ruth. She accepted for $1 and a lifetime supply of Nestle Chocolate.