by Geoffrey Grinder, Now The End Begins: Bill Gates: Within 10 years, AI will replace many doctors and teachers—humans won’t be needed ‘for most things’ At the end of the 19th century, there was an explosion of technology that was unprecedented in human history, as if a spirit had risen and had given man a form […]

  North Carolina has played a major role in American history, from being the first colony to call for independence with the Halifax Resolves in 1776 to its significance in the Revolutionary War and Civil War. Its early settlements shaped politics, trade, and industry, leaving behind a rich historical legacy.   The state is home to key historic sites like Tryon Palace, North Carolina’s first colonial capital, Old Salem, a preserved Moravian settlement, and Historic Halifax, where the fight for independence began. Maritime history thrives at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, while the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse in Edenton remains one of the oldest still in use. North Carolina is also home to many well-preserved historic towns that reflect its colonial, maritime, and revolutionary past. These ten stand out as must-visit destinations.   1. Bath Aerial view of Bath, North Carolina. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Nestled along the Pamlico River, Bath is North Carolina’s oldest town, founded in 1705. This small but historically rich settlement was once a bustling colonial port and even home to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. With its waterfront charm and preserved 18th-century architecture, Bath offers a glimpse into the state’s early days.   History lovers can explore St. Thomas Episcopal Church, the oldest in North Carolina, dating back to 1734. The Palmer-Marsh House, an elegant colonial home from the 1700s, showcases period furnishings, while the Van Der Veer House tells the story of Bath’s early settlers. Visitors can also walk along Bonner’s Point, where ships once docked, and enjoy views of the scenic river.   2. Edenton Roanoke River Lighthouse, Edenton, North Carolina. Source: Wikimedia Commons   As the sun rises over Edenton Bay, the town awakens much like it has for centuries. Established in 1712 and once North Carolina’s first colonial capital, Edenton is where Revolutionary voices still echo through time. Here, in 1774, a group of defiant women led by Penelope Barker staged the Edenton Tea Party, one of the earliest organized political protests by women in American history.   Strolling the Edenton Historic District, you’ll find preserved Georgian and Federal-style architecture, including the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse, the oldest in North Carolina still in use. The Cupola House, with its 1758 Jacobean design, tells tales of merchant wealth, while the Roanoke River Lighthouse, perched over the bay, reminds visitors of Edenton’s maritime significance.   3. New Bern Middle Street in Downtown New Bern, North Carolina. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Founded in 1710, New Bern is one of North Carolina’s most historically significant towns, serving as the state’s first capital. Strategically located at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, it quickly became a center for commerce, politics, and cultural development.   One of New Bern’s most notable sites is Tryon Palace, the reconstructed 18th-century governor’s mansion that once housed North Carolina’s colonial leadership. Visitors can explore its period-furnished rooms, manicured gardens, and interactive history exhibits. Another key attraction is the Birthplace of Pepsi, where the famous soft drink was first created in 1893. The New Bern Firemen’s Museum provides insight into one of the oldest fire companies in the state.   4. Beaufort Shops and historic homes in downtown Beaufort, North Carolina. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Founded in 1709, Beaufort stands as a testament to North Carolina’s deep maritime history. This coastal town, once a hub for privateers and traders, remains one of the state’s best-preserved historic districts. Unlike other colonial settlements, Beaufort’s past is closely tied to the sea, with connections to legendary figures like Blackbeard, whose ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, was discovered just off its coast.   Visitors can explore the North Carolina Maritime Museum, which houses artifacts from shipwrecks and naval history. The Beaufort Historic Site offers guided tours of 18th and 19th-century homes, including the Leffers House and Apothecary Shop, providing insight into early coastal life. A short boat ride away, Carrot Island is home to wild horses that have roamed the shores for centuries.   5. Hillsborough Churton Street, Hillsborough, North Carolina. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Established in 1754, Hillsborough played a crucial role in shaping North Carolina’s colonial and Revolutionary War history. As a key meeting place for political leaders, the town witnessed significant events, including the Regulator Movement, an early rebellion against British taxation. Its well-preserved downtown and historical sites make it a destination for those interested in early American history.   Visitors can tour Ayr Mount, a stately 1815 Federal-style plantation home, or walk the grounds of the Burwell School, an important 19th-century girls’ academy. The Orange County Historical Museum showcases artifacts from Hillsborough’s past, while guided tours of the Occaneechi Village provide insight into the Native American history of the region.   6. Salem (Old Salem, Winston-Salem) Salem Tavern in Old Salem, North Carolina. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Founded in 1766 by Moravian settlers, Old Salem stands as one of the most well-preserved historic districts in the United States. Unlike many historic towns, it isn’t just a collection of preserved buildings…it’s a fully immersive experience where visitors can walk through an 18th-century Moravian community brought to life by costumed interpreters.   At Old Salem Museums & Gardens, guests can tour authentic structures such as the Single Brothers’ House, where craftsmen once lived and worked, and the Miksch House, home to one of Salem’s earliest families. The Salem Tavern, a historic inn, once hosted George Washington during his Southern tour in 1791. Traditional trades like pottery, baking, and blacksmithing are still practiced, providing an interactive look into colonial life.   7. Southport North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport in Southport, North Carolina. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, Southport has been a strategic coastal settlement since its founding in 1792. Originally established as Fort Johnston in the 1750s to defend against naval threats, the town grew into a key shipping and military hub. Today, its waterfront charm and preserved history make it a standout destination for those interested in North Carolina’s maritime heritage.   Visitors can explore Fort Johnston-Southport Museum & Visitors’ Center, which highlights the town’s role in the Civil War and early coastal defense. The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport delves into shipwrecks, piracy, and naval history, while the Old Brunswick County Jail offers a look at 19th-century law enforcement. The town’s historic district, lined with centuries-old homes and oak-shaded streets, adds to its timeless appeal.   8. Tarboro Tarboro, North Carolina. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Founded in 1760 along the Tar River, Tarboro is one of North Carolina’s oldest towns, rich in colonial and antebellum history. Unlike many historic towns, Tarboro boasts one of the last remaining original town commons in the United States, a central gathering space inspired by early New England settlements. This unique feature, combined with its well-preserved architecture, makes it a fascinating destination for history enthusiasts.   Visitors can explore the Blount-Bridgers House, an 1808 Federal-style home that now serves as a museum showcasing 19th-century art and history. The Calvary Episcopal Church, built in 1867, is another landmark, known for its stunning Gothic Revival architecture and historic cemetery. The Tarboro Historic District, with over 300 preserved buildings, provides a comprehensive look at the town’s evolution from a colonial outpost to a thriving Southern community.   9. Washington Main Street and Market Street, Washington, North Carolina. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Established in 1776, Washington, holds the distinction of being the first town in the United States named after General George Washington. Located along the Pamlico River, this historic port town played a crucial role in trade, military defense, and maritime commerce throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.   Visitors can explore the Washington Historic District, home to well-preserved buildings reflecting Federal, Victorian, and Colonial Revival architecture. The North Carolina Estuarium, the first of its kind in the world, offers insight into the region’s rich ecological and maritime history. Civil War enthusiasts can visit the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum, which highlights the town’s role in aiding enslaved individuals seeking freedom.   10. Halifax Halifax County Courthouse in Halifax, North Carolina. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Founded in 1757 along the Roanoke River, Halifax played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. It was here, on April 12, 1776, that North Carolina’s Fourth Provincial Congress adopted the Halifax Resolves, making North Carolina the first colony to call for complete independence from Britain. This moment cemented Halifax’s place in history as a leader in the fight for American freedom.   The Historic Halifax State Historic Site offers a well-preserved glimpse into the town’s revolutionary past. Visitors can tour restored 18th-century buildings, including the Eagle Tavern, the Clerk’s Office, and several period homes. The site also features living history demonstrations, where reenactors bring colonial-era trades and politics to life.

  Peru’s history dates back over 5,000 years, making it an intoxicating and addictive destination for history enthusiasts. While Machu Picchu and the ancient Inca Empire may claim most of the attention, there is much more of Peru’s history to discover. As the birthplace of ancient civilizations in the Americas, this South American destination is home to an enviable array of archeological sites, world-class museums, and stunning architecture spanning millennia. History lovers will find innumerable historical treasures to discover. Here are nine of the very best.   1. Machu Picchu Machu Picchu, 2018. Source: zielonamapa.pl   Machu Picchu — the one highlight by which all historical sites in Peru are measured, needs little introduction. The fabled “Lost City” of the ancient Incas is a 15th-century citadel revered for its architectural brilliance. Even 100 years after Hiram Bingham “discovered” it, its intended purpose remains highly debated.   A royal estate or solely a religious site? No one knows for sure. What is known, however, is that Spanish conquistadores never discovered it — and never had a chance to destroy or repurpose it as they did many other Inca citadels. So, there it stands, perched high in the Andes mountains, at a (literal) breathtaking altitude of 7,970 feet. The location is spectacular, the details mind-blowing, and the journey to reach it—on foot along the famous Inca Trail or by train—is part and parcel of the unmissable appeal.   On a visit to Machu Picchu, you will undoubtedly marvel at the meticulously constructed terraces, temples, and palaces. The Incas’ sophisticated masonry skills are most evident in the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows. The Intihuatana Stone, thought to be an astronomical clock or calendar, highlights their advanced planetary knowledge.   2. Cusco’s Historic Center Plaza de Cusco, by Allison Bellindo. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Of all the historical sites in Peru, Cusco is arguably the most significant and certainly among the most surprising. The capital of the Inca Empire for three centuries, Cusco sits on a high-altitude plateau framed by high peaks and boasts a mix of architecture spanning almost 3,000 years. The colonial-era cathedral at its center is impressive, but the Inca-built foundations are even more extraordinary.   Cusco is designed in the shape of a puma, a sacred symbol in Incan mythology. Its layout features the 15th-century Sacsayhuaman complex as the head, Plaza de Armas as the trunk, and the Tullumayo River as the tail. Sacsayhuamán is a colossal Inca fortress known for its megalithic stone walls, some of which weigh over 100 tons.   At its peak, Cusco’s rule extended from Quito, Ecuador, to Santiago, Chile. The Spanish arrival led to the end of its dominion, as they plundered the city and established their capital in Lima. This inadvertently helped to preserve many of the city’s Inca structures. Cusco’s sudden economic decline also sparked a resistance movement lasting generations. Almost 300 years later, Cusco would play a crucial role in Peru’s fight for independence from Spain.   3. Sacred Valley of the Incas The Sacred Valley, by Alf Igel, 2019. Source: Flickr   The Sacred Valley of the Incas was the agricultural powerhouse of the Inca Empire. Defined by its incredibly fertile soil, it had been inhabited and farmed for 2,000 years before the Incas rose to fame and prosperity. It is here that the Incas, inspired by the rudimentary terraced farming of the Killke people (900 – 1,000 BCE), developed their own progressive terracing systems, optimizing farming (of potatoes, particularly) at varying altitudes.   From a strategic viewpoint, the Sacred Valley was vital for the Incas due to its proximity to Cusco and the Urubamba River, which provided water for irrigation and transportation of produce. The valley’s main centers, Pisac and Ollantaytambo, feature impressive ruins, imposing stone structures, and centuries-old family estates. The former was a religious and ceremonial hub in Inca times, while the latter was a key administrative, cultural, and military center.   Nowadays, Pisac is just as famous for its Sunday markets, which attract artisans from surrounding Quechuan-speaking villages. They converge here, as they have for centuries, to sell their wares, ranging from traditional Inca textiles and handicrafts to fresh produce and souvenirs.   Did you know? The Incas used a unique form of record-keeping called quipu to document their stories. Quipu involved using colored threads knotted in specific ways. Although the Spanish first recognized the system as a tool of information, the Catholic Church deemed it “the work of the devil” alongside other Incan cultural practices. Many quipus were thus destroyed during the Christianization of the continent.    4. Nazca Lines Aerial view of the “spider,” Nazca lines, photo by Diego Delso. Source: Wikimedia Commons   In the black desert region of southern Peru, you will stumble upon the mystical Nazca Lines, one of the world’s most intriguing archeological mysteries. They are also about the easiest-to-miss historical sites in Peru. You could be driving right through them on the Panamerican Highway and wouldn’t even know they were there.   The Nazca Lines, an underrated UNESCO-listed historical site in Peru, are a series of ancient geoglyphs carved by the Nazca culture between 500 BCE and 500 CE. These geoglyphs include over 1,000 large-scale designs, such as a massive condor with a wingspan of 426 feet, a monkey, a hummingbird, various geometric shapes, and even a humanoid figure dressed in what appears to be a space suit. The enigmatic designs can only be fully appreciated from the air.   Discovered only in the late 1920s, when aviation first arrived in the region, the Nazca lines are mystifying due to their precision, especially considering the sheer scale of the artwork. Theories abound as to their purpose, ranging from astronomical calendars to religious symbols or even messages to the gods. Regardless of their purpose, creating these lines without modern technology makes them quite a mind-boggling mystery.   5. Arequipa Colonial Architecture Arequipa, photo by locoterrolr. Source: Needpix   Arequipa, Peru’s “White City,” is a UNESCO-listed historical site known for its stunning colonial-era architecture. The city was founded in 1540 and constructed using a locally sourced white volcanic rock called sillar. The historic center is home to examples of Spanish Baroque architecture, including the spectacular Santa Catalina Monastery. It is a bona fide city with vibrant streets, colorful buildings, cloisters, and plazas.   As with all colonial cities in Latin America, the main focal point is the Plaza de Armas, a magnificent square framed by ornate, blinding-white buildings. The most notable is the imposing Cathedral of Arequipa, with its decorative façade stretching the entire length of the plaza. Join a guided tour, and you can ascend to the top for sensational views across the city and the three volcanoes that frame it.   A significant highlight you shouldn’t miss in Arequipa is the Museo Santuarios Andinos (Museum of Andean Sanctuaries). This museum is renowned for housing “Juanita” the Ice Maiden, a remarkably well-preserved Inca mummy discovered on Mount Ampato in 1995. Juanita was a young girl who was sacrificed over 500 years ago as part of an Inca ritual to appease the gods.   6. Chan Chan Chan Chan, by Yan-di Chang, 2007. Source: Flickr   Chan Chan is an ancient adobe city near Trujillo on Peru’s northern coast. Built by the Chimú civilization around 850 CE, it is considered the largest pre-Columbian city in South America. It gained UNESCO recognition in 1986.   The city covers a vast area of around 7.7 square miles. It has a complex layout of nine walled citadels, each with its own royal compound, ceremonial plaza, residential area, and water reservoir. The walls show intricate reliefs depicting geometric shapes, mythical figures, and scenes of daily life.   Chan Chan appears to have thrived as a trade and administration center until the Inca Empire conquered it in the 15th century. The site is so extensive that archeological studies are ongoing. In 2019, headline news reported the discovery of what would become the world’s largest mass child sacrifice site near the mud city. Although human sacrifice by pre-Columbian cultures has been well documented, this was the first discovery of a truly large-scale event.   7. The Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum The Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum, by Heiner Amado Cadillo. Source: Panoramio   Built to resemble the traditional burial pyramids of the ancient Moche people, the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum is a sight to behold due to its design and contents. Considered South America’s answer to the Mask of Tutankhamun, the museum is entirely dedicated to one of the most significant archeological discoveries in the Americas in the last half-century: the tomb of the Lord of Sipán.   Who was this Lord, you might ask? According to the array of gold and silver jewelry, precious gems, elaborate headdresses, fine pottery, and an abundance of prized ceremonial items in his tomb, anthropologists believe that the Lord of Sipán was a high-ranking Moche warrior priest. The wealth and craftsmanship of the contents discovered in his tomb in 1987 have revealed much about Moche culture, societal structures, and burial practices.   The museum is state-of-the-art, and its exhibits of ancient precious gems are beyond compare — not only in Peru but arguably all of South America. You will find the museum in Lambayeque in northern Peru, right at the heart of what is considered to be the country’s cradle of ancient civilizations.   8. Kuelap Exterior of Kuelap, by Johirovi. Source: Wikimedia Commons   The ancient complex of Kuelap, known as the “Fortress of the Cloud Warriors,” is a massive site that rivals Machu Picchu in historical significance. Stretching over 1,970 feet and with walls up to 62 feet high, this fortress, filled with innumerable houses and temples, is one of northern Peru’s most rewarding historical sites. It was a significant cultural and political center for the Chachapoyas, a pre-Inca civilization, and its architectural and cultural heritage is a testament to their advanced development.   Built in the 6th century CE, Kuelap is perched on a steep Andean slope at 9,842 feet, entrenched in Amazonian cloud forests. It functioned as a fortified city, having been developed and inhabited continuously for hundreds of years. Its golden era, spanning from the 10th to the 14th centuries, was followed by abandonment around the time of the Spanish conquest. Before 2017, you would have had to tackle a strenuous hike to reach it. Today, a modern cable car makes the site much more accessible.   Caveat: a catastrophic landslide destroyed part of an external wall at Kuelap in 2022. Restoration work is ongoing and some sections of the complex may be closed to the public. The site is still very much worth visiting!   9. Lima Plaza de Armas, Lima, photo by Mark Kuiper. Source: Unsplash   Peru’s capital might not seem overly enticing to visit at first glance, yet for history lovers, there are enough incentives to linger. Founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, Lima quickly became Spain’s South American empire’s political, economic, and cultural center. The city’s strategic coastal location facilitated trade with Spain and her other colonies, contributing to its rapid growth and prosperity during the Colonial Era.   Aside from its colonial significance, Lima is also interesting because it played a pivotal role during the struggle for South American independence in the early 19th century. It hosted important figures like José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar. The city’s Plaza Mayor, with its grand colonial architecture, including the Government Palace and Lima Cathedral, bears witness to this hard-fought history.   Today, Lima is a dynamic and, at times, scruffy metropolis where the past and present coexist. The city’s leading museums, the Larco Museum and the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History, showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage and are phenomenal places to kickstart your historical tour of Peru.

  Grace Kelly is a ubiquitous name in history. She was the symbol of a sort-of American fairytale as a famous actress in her own right who met and fell in love with the Prince of Monaco. Grace Kelly’s life and death are still the subject of modern intrigue, as she is one of the most famous Americans in history. The symbol of glamour in the 1950s, who was Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco?   Grace Kelly’s Early Life The Kelly Family Home in East Falls, Philadelphia. Source: Town and Country Magazine   Grace Patricia Kelly was born on November 12, 1929, at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her family was one of the most prominent in the city, and her father, John Kelly Sr., was already famous for his athleticism and business acumen.   John Kelly Sr., born to Irish immigrants, won three Olympic gold medals, two in Antwerp in 1920 and one in Paris in 1924, for sculling. He was the first triple Olympic champion in the sport of rowing. After retiring from his athletic career, Kelly became well known throughout the East Coast for his brickwork company and work in the construction business.   John Kelly was also the Democratic nominee for mayor of Philadelphia in 1935, losing by the narrowest margin in the city’s history. John’s brothers were similarly accomplished. Walter C. Kelly was a vaudeville actor who worked with Metro-Goldwyn Mayer and Paramount, while George Kelly was a Pulitzer-winning screenwriter and director.   John Kelly Sr., Grace Kelly’s father, as a rower. Source: United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum   Grace Kelly’s mother, Margaret Majer, was not without her own accomplishments. She taught physical education and was the first female coach at the University of Pennsylvania. After marrying John Kelly in 1924, she became a homemaker and a civic activist. The family built and lived in a home on Henry Avenue, in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia.   Grace Kelly had two older siblings, Margaret and John Jr., and a younger sister named Elizabeth. The family was Catholic, and the Kelly children grew up in an affluent and close-knit community. Grace Kelly attended elementary school at St. Bridget’s Parish, where she was also baptized.   Kelly began her acting career at age twelve, starring in Don’t Feed the Animals in a local East Fall production. She also modeled for charity events at the Catholic girls’ school, Ravenhill Academy, that she attended. Kelly graduated from Stevens School, a private school near to her childhood home, in 1947. In the school yearbook section titled “Stevens’ Prophecy,” it was predicted that Grace Kelly would become a “famous star of screen and stage.”   Grace Kelly: Model and Actress Publicity photo of Grace Kelly for Dial M for Murder, published in the Evening Star, November 23, 1953. Source: Wikimedia Commons/Warner Bros   After high school, Grace Kelly decided, to the chagrin of her family, to pursue her dreams of modeling and acting. She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, after being admitted despite the school meeting its quota for the semester. She was also signed to the Walter Thornton Modeling Agency, where she famously modeled for Old Gold Cigarettes and graced the covers of magazines like Cosmopolitan and Redbook.   After her graduation from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Kelly was cast in the first of her nearly 60 television roles: a television-play adaptation of the Sinclair Lewis novel Bethel Merriday. Though she didn’t gain much critical acclaim in her early years, Kelly impressed director Henry Hathaway, who then cast her in a supporting role for the Twentieth-Century Fox film Fourteen Hours.   Though the Grace Kelly Fanclub was inaugurated after the film’s release, with chapters popping up throughout the country, Fourteen Hours did not garner much attention for the young actress, who continued starring in theater productions and television plays.   After starring in High Noon, a 1952 Western, Kelly was noticed by director John Ford, who flew her to Los Angeles. She was then signed to MGM in November 1952. The seven-year contract allowed her to maintain her residence in New York and take time off every other year to continue pursuing stage acting. Though she was able to set conditions, the salary of the contract, $850 per week, was considered relatively low.   The Movie Poster for Mogambo starring Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, and Grace Kelly. Source: FilmAffinity   The film that Ford wanted Kelly at MGM for was Mogambo, which she starred in alongside Clark Gable and Ava Gardner. She later told Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper, “Mogambo had three things that interested me: John Ford, Clark Gable, and a trip to Africa, with expenses paid. If Mogambo had been made in Arizona, I wouldn’t have done it.” Though ambivalent about the film, she won her first Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and her first Academy Award nomination, also for Best Supporting Actress.   After starring in several other productions, Kelly began her mentorship with Alfred Hitchcock after being loaned by MGM to film Dial M for Murder in 1954. She went on to star in two other Hitchcock films: Rear Window and To Catch a Thief.    Grace Kelly and William Holden, Academy Awards, Los Angeles, published by Los Angeles Times, 1955. Source: UCLA Library Digital Collections   Perhaps her most well-known role is that of Georgie Elgin, the long-suffering wife of Bing Crosby’s alcoholic singer character in Country Girl. Kelly won the Academy Award for Best Actress, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama.   Kelly shot five films in succession in 1954, two of which were for Hitchcock. She began to get marquee credits that went beyond Hitchcock himself, and she was veritably one of the most famous actresses in the world at the time. She would go on to star in two more projects in 1956, as Princess Alexandra in The Swan, and, in her last film, High Society, as Tracy Lord.   Grace Kelly’s last role was a poetic full-circle moment to end her career. She had also starred in The Philadelphia Story (which High Society was adapted from) as Tracy Lord in her 1949 graduation performance from the American Academy for Dramatic Arts.   The Wedding of the Century Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III on their wedding day. Source: Flickr   Grace Kelly was, in 1955, one of the most respected actresses in Hollywood. Thus, she was asked to be the head of the United States delegation at the Cannes Film Festival in April 1955. It was there, at a photoshoot, that Kelly met her future husband, Prince Rainier III, the ruler of the Principality of Monaco. Rainier, unbeknownst to Kelly, was searching for a bride, having ascended the throne in 1949 and needing an heir to continue the line of monarchs in Monaco.   The pair led an eight-month courtship before Rainier proposed during the Christmas holidays of 1955 at Kelly’s family home in Pennsylvania. While initially the prince proposed with a ring fashioned from two of the principality’s heirlooms, during the filming of High Society, Rainier presented Kelly with a second engagement ring from Cartier. The legendary ring was used in place of a prop for the film, and was comprised of a 10.5 carat emerald-cut diamond surrounded on either side by diamond baguettes. Kelly’s family paid a dowry for their daughter of around $2 million, half of which was paid by Kelly’s own money and half by inheritance.   Grace Kelly’s Paramount Studio Portrait, 1956. Source: Flickr   Grace Kelly arrived in Monaco two weeks before her wedding, with 65 friends and family in tow. She was greeted with 20,000 of her future subjects and around 1,500 journalists. The wedding was to be held in two ceremonies, as required by the Napoleonic Code of Monaco. The first was a civil ceremony performed in the throne room of the Monégasque Palace on April 18, 1956. This ceremony was presided over by Monaco’s Minister of Justice and was witnessed by 80 guests, including representatives from 24 countries. The most important part of the ceremony was the recitation of Kelly’s 142 new titles, Princess of Monaco being only one of them.   A photo of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III in front of their wedding cake. Source: Flickr   The church ceremony was held the next day at Saint Nicholas Cathedral. It was performed in French, with Father John Cartin from Kelly’s hometown parish presiding along with Bishop Gilles Barthe. The ceremony was attended by 700 guests, and Kelly walked down the aisle with her father, as per tradition, before Prince Rainier, whose presence was announced with trumpets.   Kelly wore a wedding dress designed by Helen Rose, her former costumer for MGM, that was worked on by 36 seamstresses for six weeks. The gown, a gift from MGM, was fitted with 125-year-old Brussels rose point lace on the neck and long sleeves and was made from 25 yards of silk taffeta and 100 yards of silk net plus tulle. Her veil, fashioned over a juliet cap, was made from 90 yards of tulle. Prince Rainier wore a military uniform he designed himself, inspired by the uniform of Napoleon Bonaparte.   The couple performed their vows, exchanged rings, took communion, and then left the ceremony in a Rolls-Royce, which was a gift to the couple from their subjects. The reception was held at the Hotel de Paris, where 600 guests and 3,000 Monégasque citizens attended, dazzled by the six-tiered wedding cake which formed a replica of the Prince’s Palace and was cut by Rainier’s ceremonial sword.   The wedding was televised by MGM as a stipulation to release Kelly from her contract. It attracted an audience of over 30 million viewers. It was, truly, the biggest royal wedding spectacle to date. The show ended with the departure of the Prince and Princess on their yacht, Deo Juvante II, for a seven-week honeymoon cruise around the Mediterranean.   Monaco’s Princess Press Conference with Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco at Expo 67 in Montreal, 1967. Source: Government of Canada Collections/Library and Archives Canada   Princess Grace left her film career to become a full-time royal and philanthropist. She and Rainier welcomed three children: Princess Caroline in 1957, Prince Albert, the heir to the throne, in 1958, and Princess Stéphanie in 1965.   As princess consort, Kelly became the President of the Red Cross of Monaco and the Patron of Rainbow Coalition Children, run by former dancer Josephine Baker. She was also president of the Garden Club of Monaco and the organizing committee for the International Arts Foundation. She founded AMADE Mondiale, a non-profit that promotes and protects the “moral and physical integrity” and the “spiritual well-being of children throughout the world, without distinction of race, nationality or religion, and in a spirit of complete political independence.”   Princess Grace championed the arts in Monaco, advocating for and donating to several arts-based projects throughout the principality. Though she was thoroughly ingrained in Monégasque culture, Princess Grace retained her American citizenship. Every year, she hosted an “American Week” in Monaco. Guests ate ice cream and played baseball; the palace always observed American Thanksgiving.   The Death and Legacy of Grace Kelly Princess Grace Kelly’s grave in Saint Nicholas Cathedral, photograph by Anneli Salo, 2006. Source: Wikimedia Commons   On September 13, 1982, while driving back to Monaco from her country home, 52-year-old Princess Grace suffered a mild cerebral hemorrhage. With her youngest daughter, Stéphanie, in the passenger seat, the princess lost control of her car and drove off the steep mountain road, dropping 120-feet down the cliffside.   Initially, the princess and her daughter were taken to Monaco Hospital, now called the Princess Grace Hospital Centre. Princess Grace had injuries to her thorax, femur, and brain, but was expected to make a full recovery. However, while in the hospital, a second, more severe hemorrhage occurred, leaving her with no chance of recovery. Princess Grace died the following night after her husband turned off her life support.   Princess Stéphanie suffered a concussion and a hairline fracture of her cervical vertebra. Though she eventually made a full recovery, she was unable to attend her mother’s funeral.   Princess Grace’s funeral was held on September 18, 1982 at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate in Monaco-Ville. Over 400 guests attended the service, including Nancy Reagan, Cary Grant, Empress Farah of Iran, and Princess Diana. She was later buried in the Grimaldi family vault. In 2005, Rainier, who had never remarried, was laid to rest beside his wife.   A statue of Princess Grace in the Roseraie Princesse Grace, Monaco. Source: Turroo   Grace Kelly left an incredible legacy as an actress, a style icon, and a monarch. She is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 1982, her husband created the Princess Grace Foundation—USA to continue her anonymous charitable contributions to the arts in the United States.   Kelly’s family home was made a Pennsylvania historic landmark, and it is still owned by Prince Albert of Monaco today.   Princess Grace’s legacy also continues in her influence over fashion during her lifetime. Her iconic put-together but casual looks have inspired fashion designers into the modern age, notably Tommy Hilfiger and Zac Posen. Princess Grace was also known for carrying the Hermés Sac à dépêches, which is today simply referred to as the Kelly bag.   Kelly has been honored by the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum, among others, for her style. In Monaco, a rose garden with a statue of the princess was opened in her honor by her husband in 1984. In 2022, the Paris mint even issued silver and gold coins to honor the 40th anniversary of Princess Grace’s death with the consent of her son, Prince Albert II.   Grace Kelly’s legacy is vast but, in her own words, she wanted to be remembered as “someone who accomplished useful deeds, and who was a kind and loving person. I would like to leave the memory of a human being with a correct attitude and who did her best to help others.” Her name is still synonymous with style, class, talent, and, as her name suggests, grace.

I'm not sure Signalgate even deserves the suffix "-gate," inasmuch as the scandal was revealed in an article in The Atlantic on Monday, and by Wednesday, pretty much everyone was searching for new angles on it. Anything that peters out in 48 hours definitionally shouldn't deserve invoking the spiritual connection...

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was reportedly spotted at Los Angeles International Airport with “special prosecutor” Nathan Wade, even though she previously said their relationship had concluded back in 2023. The U.K.’s Daily Mail obtained a video, purportedly filmed on Tuesday, showing the pair dressed in casual clothes and...

Apparently, NPR head Katherine Maher thought that she was walking into the summer of 2020 when she testified before Congress, while simultaneously seeming to have no memory of what she'd said up to and during that annus horribilis for America. Maher, in case you hadn't heard, was one of two heads...

Members of the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade almost three years ago, but abortion levels have actually increased nationwide ever since. The state of Georgia is no exception. Christian advocates for the preborn were reminded of that sorrowful truth on Wednesday when some lawmakers reacted viscerally against a bill...

"Let's just make sure our messaging is tight here." Those are Vice President J.D. Vance's words in the "bombshell" "war plans" Signal chat of doom that definitely wasn't a bombshell nor contained detailed war plans. But I'll give the administration one thing now that we've seen the full conversation: Vance...

When can you convince U.S. District Judge James Boasberg to defer to the judgment of the current administration? When it benefits a Democrat, of course. Boasberg, as you might know, is the Obama-appointed judge who's attempted to block President Donald Trump's fast-track deportation of members of the Venezuelan transnational gang...