Mont-Saint-Michel is also the subject of a traditional rivalry between Normans and Bretons. Bretons say that the Couesnon River marks the limit between Normandy and Brittany. It is only because the river has changed its course over the centuries that the mount is on the Norman side. This legend amuses the area's inhabitants. They state that the border is not located on the Couesnon river. They say it is on the mainland, to the west, at the foot of the solid mass of Saint-Brelade.
Up to 20,000 people a day visit the city in July and August. Among the 43 inhabitants (2006), 5 were monks and 7 nuns.
Mont-Saint-Michel has historical links with St Michael's Mount in Cornwall, UK. Edward the Confessor gave it to the Benedictines of Mont-Saint-Michel in the 11th century.
61 buildings of Mont-Saint-Michel are on the list of historical monuments. They were added from 1928 to today.
Spring 1945 offensive in Italy
The Spring 1945 offensive in Italy was given the code name Operation Grapeshot. It was the Allied attack by Fifth United States Army and British 8th Army into the Lombardy Plain. It started on 6 April 1945 and ended on 2 May with the surrender of German forces in Italy.
The Allies had done their previous major attack on the Gothic Line in August 1944. The British 8th Army attacked up the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The U.S. 5th Army attacked through the central Apennine Mountains.
They managed to break through the Gothic Line defences. But they failed to get into the Lombardy Plains before the winter weather stopped them.
They had a hard time in the cold winter weather. They planned to attack again in the spring.
Harold Alexander was promoted to Field Marshal. He was made the Allied Supreme Commander Mediterranean on 12 December.
On 23 March, Albert Kesselring was appointed Commander-in-Chief Army Group West.
In the spring, the problems of getting troops continued. The 15th Army Group had 1,334,000 men with Eighth Army having 632,980 men and Fifth Army 266,883. Against them were 21 much weaker German divisions and 4 Italian divisions, a total of 25.
Clark made his plan on 18 March. He wanted destroy the maximum number of enemy forces, cross the Po and capture Verona.
The Eighth Army was to go north west to capture Ferrara and Bondeno. The U.S. Fifth Army was to go past Bologna to surround German forces south of the Po. The Fifth Army was to go west towards Ostiglia. Next, the Allies would capture bridge across the Po and go north.
The Fifth Army plan (Operation "Craftsman") aimed to pull German reserves away from Route 65. II Corps would then attack.
In the first week of April, attacks were launched on the right and left of the Allied lines. The goal was to draw German reserves away from the main attacks to come. Axis forces had to use sea, canal and river routes for supply. Axis shipping was being attacked in bombing raids.
The main attack started on 6 April with an artillery bombing of the Senio defenses. On 9 April, 825 heavy bombers dropped bombs near the Senio. From 15:20 to 19:10, artillery was fired. As well, 28 Churchill Crocodiles and 127 Wasp flamethrower vehicles were sent out. By 12 April, the 8th Indian Division was on the far side of the Santerno. The British 78th Division moved to attack Argenta.
The U.S. 5th Army began its attack on 14 April. First, there was a bombing by 2,000 heavy bombers and 2,000 artillery pieces. Then troops attacked. By 20 April both corps had broken through the German defences and reached the Po valley. 10th Mountain Division went north. By 19 April, the British 6th Armoured Division was moving to surround the German armies defending Bologna. Bondeno was captured on 23 April. Bologna was entered on 21 April. U.S. IV Corps reached the river Po at on 22 April. They went north to Verona which they entered on 26 April. British V Corps entered Padua on 29 April. Partisans had captured the German garrison of 5,000.
Secret surrender talks between the Germans and Western Allies were held in Switzerland (Operation Crossword) in March. The Soviets did not like that the Western Allies were trying to arrange a surrender that did not include the Soviets. On 29 April, the Germans surrendered.
Hallasan
Hallasan is one of Korea's three most sacred mountains. It is on Jeju-do, the southernmost island of Republic of Korea. It is 1,950m tall. On the top of Hallasan, there is a crater called Baek Rok Dam. It was an active volcano until about 25,000 years ago. It is now dormant. Hallasan is made of basalt, a type of black rock that is produced by volcanoes. It extends east to west. The south side of Hallasan is very steep. The slope of the north side is gentle. The east and south are relatively high but smooth.
There are seven trails on Hallasan.
Hallasan has subtropical plants, warm-climate plants, and subarctic plants. In spring, there royal azalea, and yellow rape. There are also maple trees. In winter, the mountain is covered with snow. There are deer, which are the symbol of Hallasan.
The ever-changing colors of the scenery make people admire the beauty of nature, and this is why Hallasan was selected as a national park on March 24 1970. All of Jeju Volcanic Island was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. During the last week in January, there is a snow-flower festival in Hallasan.
Aleqa Hammond
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Juan Vicente Torrealba
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Torrealba died at the age of 102 from heart failure on 2 May 2019, aged 102.
Arnoldo Foà
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Foà died on the morning of 11 January 2014, 13 days before his 98th birthday, from respiratory failure in his home in Rome, Italy.
Jacque Fresco
Jacque Fresco (March 13, 1916 – May 18, 2017) was an American self-taught structural designer, architectural designer, concept artist, educator, and futurist. Fresco wrote and lectured his views concerning sustainable cities, energy efficiency, natural-resource management, cybernetic technology, advanced automation, and the role of science in society. He was of Jewish descent.
Fresco died at his home in Sebring, Florida from complications of Parkinson's disease on May 18, 2017, aged 101.
Vittorio Emanuele Orlando
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Gabriel Axel
Gabriel Axel (18 April 1918 – 9 February 2014) was a Danish movie director, actor, writer and producer. He is best known for the movie "Babette's Feast" (1987). He wrote and directed this movie. He won an Academy Award for it.
Axel died on 9 February 2014 at the age of 95.
WWE Saturday Morning Slam
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During its televised history in the United States it was shown on The CW during its Vortexx Saturday morning block. It was centered around being more family-friendly and targeted towards children. The show ran from August 25, 2012 to May 11, 2013. The show was cancelled because of creative differences between both the WWE and Saban Brands.
Reed College