by Mike Whitney‚ Global Research: Having seized upon the October 7 attacks as a pretext‚ Israel has moved to implement a long-term plan to render Gaza uninhabitable and either kill or expel its population. The assault on Rafah will mark a new stage in this vast crime. (Andre Damon‚ World Socialist Web Site) On Friday‚ Prime […]

from GoldSilver (w/ Mike Maloney): TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

True crime is a genre of story that has taken the world by storm‚ from video documentaries and television shows to extensive news coverage and podcast series. People cannot get enough of hearing the twisted things that can emerge from the darkest corners of humanity. Although some debate the ethics of true crime storytelling‚ its popularity is undeniable. The suspense of being an omniscient observer after the fact adds tension to these stories and makes the resolution all the more rewarding. While everyone loves a good mystery‚ the most popular stories are those where the criminal faces the consequences of their actions‚ especially when a victim gets to walk away from a life-threatening situation. Few of these stories are as harrowing and inspiring as that of Jaycee Dugard. Abducted at the age of 11‚ Dugard endured 18 years of captivity before regaining her freedom.  Jaycee as a child‚ shortly before her kidnapping The Abduction On June 10‚ 1991‚ Jaycee Lee Dugard was walking to her school bus stop in South Lake Tahoe‚ California. It was then that Philip Garrido and his wife‚ Nancy‚ abducted her in broad daylight from her home. Her stepfather‚ who was in the garage at the time‚ noticed the girl getting grabbed too late. He attempted to chase the car down on his bicycle as the abductors ran away. When the car quickly outdrove him‚ he called the police and an FBI search ensued. Forces on the ground and in the air attempted to locate the missing girl‚ but had no luck. Little did the search forces know that she was 170 miles away in the town of Antioch‚ California‚ being raised by those who captured her.  Philip Garrido had a history of sexual assault that he established throughout the 1970s‚ kidnapping and raping several women. He was also being charged with kidnapping and sexual assault. He served over a decade in prison. This is where he met his wife Nancy Bocanegra as she visited her uncle in prison. They were married in the prison in 1981‚ and Garrido was released on parole in 1988. It would take only three years for him to return to his sick and twisted ways when he and Nancy captured Dugard outside her home.  Jaycee and Garrido. El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Hidden in Plain Sight Jaycee Dugard’s captivity was a twisted tale of being hidden in plain sight. The Garridos kept Jaycee in a makeshift compound in their backyard from the moment they returned to Antioch. Hidden from the outside world by this shed‚ Jaycee lived a life of unimaginable confinement. For over half a year‚ the only human interaction Dugard was exposed to was Philip‚ who would sexually assault her daily. As a methamphetamine addict‚ Garrido would go on drug-induced rants about how he was chosen by God and that Dugard was chosen by God to assist him with his struggles with sex‚ since society refused to help him. His treatment of Dugard would oscillate wildly between a seemingly genuine care for her wellbeing and a cruel anger that threatened her existence.  Eventually‚ Garrido introduced Dugard to Nancy. She first approached Dugard as a kind and apologetic mother figure. Later in life though‚ Dugard would describe Nancy as just as manipulative and cruel as Garrido. This was reinforced by the fact that Nancy continued to hold Dugard captive even after Garrido was returned to prison when he failed a drug test.  Mugshot of Nancy Garrido Life in Captivity During her 18 years of captivity‚ Jaycee was subject to immense physical and psychological trauma induced by Garrido. She was completely isolated for the majority of the time. She would only have encounters with a handful of people besides the Garridos before her rescue in 2009. She was also impregnated twice by Garrido and forced to give birth at 14 and 17. The girls believed that Dugard was their sister and that Nancy and Philip were their parents until their eventual rescue. There were also half a dozen moments where police‚ neighbors‚ or even strangers reported odd behavior from the Garrido’s residence. Each time resulted in a surface-level investigation where all suspicion was brushed off. Whether Dugard was aware of these close calls or not‚ they add to the depth of her tragedy.  Discovery and Freedom The turning point in Dugard’s ordeal came in 2009. Garrido‚ accompanied by his two “daughters”‚ attempted to distribute religious literature at the University of California‚ Berkeley. His erratic behavior attracted the attention of campus police‚ who looked into Garrido’s background and found that he was violating his parole. The ensuing investigation brought Dugard into the station. Now 29 years old‚ she first attempted to obfuscate her identity while confirming the children were her own. It was not until Garrido admitted to kidnapping and raping Dugard that she admitted her own identity. The news swept the nation‚ stunning everyone who had followed the story for nearly two decades. Dugard was able to return to her life with her two daughters‚ and those who kidnapped her finally received their punishment. Philip Garrido was convicted and sentenced to 431 years in prison with no chance of parole. His wife‚ Nancy Garrido‚ received a sentence of 36 years to life.  Rebuilding a Life Although reuniting with her family and returning to a normal life was amazing‚ it introduced new challenges to Dugard’s life. The process of recovering from the trauma required a lot of mental‚ physical‚ and emotional effort and the support of her loved ones. Jaycee exhibited remarkable strength during this period. She used her experience to raise awareness about abduction and the trauma survivors face. She co-authored a memoir‚ “A Stolen Life‚” where she shared her journey of captivity‚ survival‚ and recovery. In doing so‚ she became an advocate for survivors of trauma and a voice against the horrors of abduction. References ABC News. “Jaycee Dugard‚ Her Daughters Today‚ and if They Ever Want to See Their Father.” ABC News‚ July 8‚ 2016. https://abcnews.go.com/US/jaycee-dugard-daughters-today-father/story?id=40279504.  “Jaycee Dugard.” Crime Museum‚ 2022. https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/kidnappings/jaycee-dugard/. The post Jaycee Dugard: A Story of Resilience and Survival first appeared on History Defined.

The Ides of March is often related to the death of Julius Caesar. According to historians‚ Caesar was stabbed to death during the Ides of March in 44 Before the Common Era (BCE). Caesar had become a dictator‚ and Roman politicians were no longer happy with him. Around sixty conspirators took part in the plan for his assassination.  But it was William Shakespeare who made the Ides of March even more dramatic than it was. In his play‚ The Tragedy of Julius Caesar‚ a soothsayer warned the mighty general: “Beware the Ides of March.” Caesar didn’t heed the warning and died that same day.  Since the play became popular‚ people have been using the phrase as a warning every March 15. However‚ the date itself isn’t cursed or a day of bad luck.  What Is the Ides of March? “Ides” is a date in the Roman calendar. The Romans didn’t mark months from the first to the last day. Instead‚ they counted dates from three fixed points: Kalends – the first day of each month Nones – the 5th (during hollow months) or the 7th (during full months) day Ides – the 13th (during hollow months) or 15th (during full months) day Originally‚ the Ides were based on the full moon. The Ides of March had been the first full moon of the new year. However‚ the Roman calendar evolved a lot over time.  Incidentally‚ Julius Caesar instituted changes that continue to be seen in today’s calendars. The Julian calendar stopped the practice of basing the dates on the new moon. Instead‚ a leap year every four years was introduced to mend the gap.  Caesar’s iteration of the calendar was instituted in 46 BCE. It was only changed in 1582 when corrections were made‚ and it became known as the Gregorian calendar.  Caesar’s leap year is still observed every four years.  The Importance of Ides of March The conflation of bad luck and the phrase “beware the Ides of March” is quite interesting because the Ides were considered sacred in ancient times. The Ides of each month are said to be important to Jupiter in mythology. He had his high priestess Flamen Dialis lead a procession known as the “Ides sheep” each month.  The Ides of March is also a feast that celebrates Anna Perenna‚ a Roman deity of the circle or ring. In ancient times‚ the Anna Perenna celebration was also the culmination of New Year festivities. People would drink and have picnics throughout the day.  Another noted celebration on the Ides of March is the Mamuralia‚ a Roman religious festival. The celebration honors Mamurius Veturius‚ who made the ritual shields hanging in the temple of Mars. But this tradition would not be accepted today. It involves a scapegoating ritual where an old man dressed in animal skins is beaten and driven out of the city.  There is a deeper meaning to this inhuman tradition. The original Roman calendar began in March‚ which means it was the first month of the year. The man beaten with sticks and expelled from the city represents the hardships and negative energy being left behind for a fresh start in the new year.  Even more celebrations were initiated during the Ides of March during the Roman Empire. There was a holy week of festivals for Cybele‚ the Anatolian goddess mother‚ and her consort Attis. The end of the celebration‚ which falls on March 22nd‚ commemorates the death of Attis.  Shakespeare’s Dramatization of True Events Technically‚ Shakespeare popularized the saying‚ “Beware the Ides of March‚” through his play‚ The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. It was first staged in 1599 and was based on the real-life assassination of Caesar at the hands of Brutus and Cassius.  Fresh off a triumphant war‚ Caesar returned to Rome‚ where he arranged for a victory parade. At the height of his celebration‚ a fortune teller tells Caesar: “Beware the Ides of March.” The fortune teller was identified as Spurinna‚ a known haruspex in Rome.  Portrait of William Shakespeare by John Taylor‚ 1610 Caesar’s wife‚ Calpurnia‚ also had a premonition about Caesar’s death and told him about it. Just as he did with the soothsayer‚ Caesar ignored his wife’s warning.  According to historians‚ Caesar was on his way up the Senate steps when he saw the seer again. He proudly stated: “Well‚ the Ides of March are come.” After all‚ nothing happened to him up to that moment. The soothsayer replied: “Aye‚ they are come‚ but they are not gone.” Just a short time later‚ Caesar was assassinated.  Since then‚ the Ides of March has had a negative connotation. The religious celebrations of ancient times have been replaced with a warning about the bad luck and betrayal brought upon by the 15th of March.  The Ides of March in Pop Culture Where have you heard of the Ides of March before?  Movies The Ides of March is a 2011 political drama starring George Clooney and Ryan Gosling. Clooney also co-wrote and directed the film. The film doesn’t directly reference Caesar‚ but you can get the connection if you dissect the storyline.  Television Ides of March is a popular title for many TV episodes that feature betrayals of any kind. There was an Ides of March episode on Party of Five (1994-2000)‚ Xena: The Warrior Princes (1995-2001)‚ and Roman Empire (2016-2019).  Books Thornton Wilder published The Ides of March in 1948 as a fictional interpretation of the events leading to the assassination of Caesar.  Music There is also a band called Ides of March. They started as a four-piece American jazz band in 1964 and officially called themselves the Ides of March in 1966. They have expanded to an eight-piece band and continue to tour the U.S. today.  Myles Kennedy‚ an American singer and guitarist‚ released The Ides of March album in 2021. It had a song of the same title‚ which Kennedy explained is about warnings and having a bleak outlook to remind people who they are.  Caesar with his final wife‚ Calpurnia‚ warning him not to go before he was killed. Is There a Need to Fear the Ides of March? There is nothing to be afraid of when the Ides of March arrive. It’s a regular day‚ with the average number of people dying and being born. It is the birthdate of the beloved Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and actress Eva Longoria. In 2019‚ activist Greta Thunberg led over 1.5 million people in global climate change protests on this date. The post Beware of the Ides of March: What Happens on March 15? first appeared on History Defined.

Bettie Page is not a name that everyone knows today‚ but during the 1950s she was one of the most recognizable pinups in the world. She was a trailblazing model and one of the most photographed women of her era. However‚ beyond the lens and the allure of her pinup images‚ Bettie Page’s life was a tapestry of complexities. Her life was marked by highs of success and lows of personal challenges. This article delves into the captivating life of Bettie Page‚ exploring her early years‚ her meteoric rise to fame‚ and the enigmatic aspects that have made her a timeless symbol of beauty and liberation. Bettie Page photoshoot Early Life She was born Betty Mae Page on April 22‚ 1923‚ in Nashville‚ Tennessee. She was the second child of six children. Her early years were plagued with financial struggles and family instability. When she was 10‚ her parents divorced and she and two of her sisters were sent to an orphanage for a year.  At some point during her teenage years‚ her father returned and rented a basement room in her mother’s house. During this time Bettie claims that he sexually molested her. Despite these challenges‚ Bettie’s teenage years saw her excelling academically. She even became Homecoming Queen at Hume-Fogg High School and earned a scholarship to George Peabody College.  Bettie honed various skills. She found solace in community centers‚ where she developed a passion for cooking‚ sewing‚ and academic pursuits. Her resilience and determination manifested in her achievements as a student‚ with notable roles in the Dramatics Club‚ the Student Council‚ and contributions to the school newspaper and yearbook. This earned her the title of “Most Likely to Succeed.” After graduating in 1943‚ she married her high school sweetheart Billy Neal‚ and moved to San Francisco. She attempted to get into acting in Los Angeles but she failed her first screen test. A few years later she filed for divorce from Neal and moved to New York. Discovery Page soon learned that life in New York City wasn’t any easier than in San Francisco. To support herself initially‚ she got a job as a secretary to a real estate agent. During her first few years in the Big Apple she enrolled in acting classes and auditioned for plays. However‚ no opportunities ever materialized. One day in 1950‚ Page was enjoying herself on the shores of Coney Island when she caught the eye of Jerry Tibbs. Tibbs was a police officer by day and an amateur photographer by night. Tibbs approached Bettie and told her that she had the potential to be a famous pinup girl. He proposed a photoshoot and even would help to put together her first portfolio. Intrigued by the opportunity‚ Page agreed‚ marking her entry into the world of modeling.  Erotic Film In the 1940s‚ nude and erotic photos were illegal to distribute which meant that the demand for them was high. In response to these legal constraints‚ so-called “camera clubs” emerged as a workaround. These clubs claimed to exist for the promotion of artistic photography but‚ in reality‚ they were fronts for the creation and distribution of explicit or pornographic images.  As a camera club model‚ Page found her calling. Her fearlessness in front of the camera quickly propelled her to stardom within the world of erotic photography. Soon‚ Page’s name and image became synonymous with the genre making her an iconic figure in the world of pinups and erotic photography.  As Page’s image circulated the underground erotic culture of New York City‚ she caught the attention of Irving Klaw and his sister Paula. The Klaws operated a mail-order business specializing in custom-made fetish and bondage erotica. The Klaws produced short silent films featuring Page in playful‚ yet provocative‚ situations‚ appealing to audiences with a taste for the risqué.  Bettie Page with a whip during a photoshoot with Klaw The Kefauver Committee Estes Kefauver was a prominent U.S. Senator from Tennessee. During the early 1950s‚ he was thrust into the spotlight and national prominence when he chaired the Kefauver Committee. Officially known as the Senate Special Committee to Investigate Crime in Interstate Commerce‚ this committee conducted televised hearings and investigations into organized crime. The hearings brought the horrors of the criminal underworld into everyone’s living room. As a result‚ there was an increased clampdown on censorship in the media and entertainment industry. Content that was deemed too risqué or provocative was particularly targeted. The cultural and political climate of the 1950s began to shift to a more conservative attitude. Anyone who stood in the way had their careers destroyed.  Bettie Page and her colleagues were not spared from the Kefauver Committee. They deemed her and photographers like Irving Klaw as “a bad influence and degrading.” In response‚ Kefauver initiated a sub-committee on juvenile delinquency to probe the alleged negative impact of these images. The investigation took a grim turn when Clarence Grimm‚ claiming that his son’s suicide was influenced by Bettie Page‚ came forward. Kefauver subpoenaed Irving Klaw on May 19‚ 1955. The proceedings took an emotional toll on Bettie‚ who was spared testifying but faced the weight of a teenager’s tragic suicide attributed to her images. Move to Florida and Mental Decline The pressure and anxiety brought on by the Kefauver Committee became too much for Bettie Page to bear. She moved to Florida to live a more relaxed and isolated life away from the camera. Not long after she arrived in Florida she had a transformative experience at a Baptist church on New Year’s Eve in 1957. It led to her spiritual rebirth. This newfound faith prompted Page to leave behind her modeling career‚ expressing‚ “When I gave my life to the Lord‚ I began to think he disapproved of all those nude pictures of me.” Bettie Page posing In 1958‚ she entered a brief marriage with Armond Walterson‚ but the union ended swiftly in divorce by 1963. Undeterred‚ Page married for a third time in 1967‚ this time to Harry Lear. Unfortunately‚ this chapter marked the beginning of Bettie Page’s mental health decline. The signs of mental health deterioration began to manifest with uncontrollable bursts of anger. One notable incident occurred in January 1972 at a ministry retreat‚ where Bettie Page ran through the retreat brandishing a .22-caliber pistol.  In the subsequent years‚ she withdrew from the public eye‚ and her mental health struggles became a private battle. In the last years of her life she retreated from the spotlight and lived a more secluded life. She grappled with mental health challenges until her passing on December 11‚ 2008. Legacy Bettie Page’s influence extends far beyond the realm of her original erotic photographs‚ inspiring a whole new generation of creatives. In his 2007 film “Death Proof”‚ director Quentin Tarantino paid homage to Bettie Page through the character of Jungle Julia. Her legacy lives on not only in the archives of her vintage pinups but also in the creative expressions of those who continue to be inspired by the mark she left on the world of art and popular culture. References Inside The Secret Life Of Notorious Pinup Girl-Turned-Recluse Bettie Page https://allthatsinteresting.com/bettie-page Bettie Page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bettie_Page# ABOUT BETTIE PAGE: BIOGRAPHY https://www.bettiepage.com/about/The post Bettie Page: The Troubled Life of the Iconic Pinup Queen first appeared on History Defined.

How far would you go for your job? Would you do something dangerous?  What if your job asked you to do something that could mean certain death‚ but would save millions? This is what was asked of three unsung heroes of the world‚ the Chernobyl divers.  In 1986‚ one of the most devastating nuclear disasters in world history occurred: the meltdown of Chernobyl’s Reactor 4.  Hundreds of thousands of firefighters and liquidators were there to clean up the unimaginable mess left behind by the meltdown of Reactor 4. But separate from these heroes‚ three others get less recognition.  Only three divers performed what might have been the most important part of the entire Chernobyl cleanup. Who were these divers‚ and why was their job so important?  One of the divers readying himself in his gear. Who Were the Chernobyl Divers?  Before the Chernobyl divers were given their legendary‚ dangerous task‚ they were just men who worked at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.  Here is a miniature bio on each of these three men: Alexei Ananenko  Position: Mechanical engineer  Bio: Born in 1962‚ Alexei had worked at Chernobyl for some time when the disaster struck. His knowledge of the plant made him a valuable member of the three-man diving team.  Valeri Bezpalov  Position: Senior Engineer  Bio: Bezpalov‚ born in 1955‚ had experience on his side when it came time to undertake the all-important diving mission. He was incredibly familiar with the plant’s systems and structures–something that was of the utmost importance when they were in the water. Boris Barnov Position: Shift Supervisor  Bio: One of the most important leaders amid the Chernobyl disaster was Boris Baranov‚ the shift supervisor on duty when the meltdown occurred. He didn’t shy away from duty and was hands-on during the cleanup process and dive.  Why Were the Chernobyl Divers Needed?  In the early hours of April 26‚ 1986‚ Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant experienced a critical meltdown. Explosions and fire followed‚ which had to be swiftly dealt with. Dozens of people were killed that week. Thousands of others would perish in the coming years. The world had never seen anything like the Chernobyl Disaster before‚ but it could have been a lot worse.  When the first explosions occurred‚ firefighters rushed to put the blazes out‚ pumping water into the now-exposed reactor‚ and flooding the basement. The water succeeded in putting out the fires‚ and in the rush to control the situation‚ no one considered the consequences of the flooded basement.  But as the days passed‚ experts came to a horrifying conclusion. The reactor was still melting down‚ burning through the concrete floor‚ and was well on its way to making contact with the bubbler pools beneath the reactor.  These pools were massive‚ said to contain nearly 20 million liters of water that would be used as coolant for the reactor. But the reactor was still blazing hot. If it made contact with this enormous amount of water‚ the steam explosion that occurred would be catastrophic on an almost unimaginable scale.  The water was already contaminated with radiation. The explosion would be strong enough to destroy the entire rest of the Chernobyl plant‚ as well as the three remaining intact reactors. The contaminated water combined with the nuclear fallout from such an explosion was estimated to be severe enough to destroy half of Europe. It would cause it to be uninhabitable for 500‚000 years or more.  The good news: there were valves that‚ when pulled‚ would drain these bubbler pools.  The bad news: The valves were located in the basement‚ and as we mentioned before‚ said basement was flooded with even more irradiated water.  The basement was dark‚ and while firefighters were working to pump the water out to make the valves easier to access‚ they couldn’t accomplish their task in enough time. This is where our heroes come in.  Alexei‚ Boris‚ and Valeri volunteered to be the men who would enter the basement and find the valves in the dark. The basement wasn’t a small space‚ and time was running out. So‚ dressed in only wetsuits and carrying flashlights‚ they set out to save the world.  The divers as depicted in the HBO series‚ Chernobyl The water was around their knees‚ but the dark was more troublesome. The trio knew that their mission was likely a fatal one–they were wading in radioactive water after all–but it had to be done.  Minutes passed‚ and hope was slipping away when one of the men spotted a pipe that they were able to follow. At the end of the pipe‚ they found exactly what they had been searching for– the drainage valves.  The three men twisted the valves‚ and the pools beneath the reactor began to drain. They had done it–they had prevented an explosion that could have turned the Chernobyl Disaster into a cataclysmic event.  Did the Chernobyl Divers Survive? All three divers had accepted before they entered the basement‚ that their lives could be over. It was expected they would die from the same sickness that killed other exposed Chernobyl workers–ARS‚ or Acute Radiation Syndrome.  Amazingly‚ all three divers survived long term. Not only that–they were awarded the Order For Courage by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in 2018. Unfortunately‚ Boris Baranov passed away in 2005 from a heart condition and was awarded the honor posthumously.  How Did the Chernobyl Divers Survive?  Several factors prevented the divers from getting ARS‚ but one of the most surprising was the water itself. Water is an amazing absorber of radiation‚ making it much less dangerous than previously thought. Their suits also provided them some protection. Protective gear was given to all liquidators‚ firefighters‚ and divers.  Lastly‚ the three men worked as quickly as they could to minimize their exposure to the radiation. The mission was still extraordinarily dangerous‚ but a couple of positive variables and the three men’s expertise meant that they survived one of the most treacherous jobs in the entire Chernobyl disaster.  References  “Five Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Chernobyl”-Douglas E. Hardtmayer https://www.ans.org/news/article-2044/five-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-chernobyl/ “Chernobyl: A Short History of the Human Impact on Ukraine and its Neighbors”- Lisa Horner https://geohistory.today/chernobyl-short-history-human-impact/The post Most Dangerous Job in the World? The Chernobyl Divers first appeared on History Defined.

Josef Fritzl’s story is one of a particularly sick criminal. Other sociopaths have become infamous for their violence or sexual deviance‚ but Fritzl compounded his sociopathy with incest. The Austrian man shocked the world with his heinous crimes. The story of his atrocities made global headlines. Fritzl’s story is a horrifying blend of deception‚ captivity‚ and unspeakable abuse that unfolded behind the seemingly ordinary façade of a suburban home. But it is also a tale of the strength and fortitude of his daughter Elisabeth who persisted in the face of her father’s abuse. Josef Fritzl. Associated Press Early Life and Background Josef Fritzl was born on April 9‚ 1935‚ in Amstetten‚ Austria. Growing up in the aftermath of World War II‚ Fritzl’s childhood was marked by a fractured Europe rebuilding itself from the ruins of conflict. A strained relationship with his mother colored his experience with women for his whole life‚ resulting in his desire for control. In the 1950s‚ Josef Fritzl married Rosemarie‚ and together they established what appeared to be a conventional‚ middle-class family. However‚ it would turn out to be anything but. The couple had several children‚ including Elisabeth‚ who would unfortunately become a victim of her father’s perverse sexual desires throughout her life.   The Construction of the Dungeon In the late 1970s‚ Fritzl began the construction of a hidden dungeon beneath the family home in Amstetten. He was easily able to build it with proper permits and no suspicion because at the height of the Cold War personal bunkers were common‚ especially in a country like Austria. By the time Elisabeth was rescued‚ the bunker extended across the underside of the entire yard‚ including under a pool built to obfuscate the true nature of Fritzl’s massive construction project. The entrance was through a storm cellar. It included eight doors to get through before reaching the true purpose of the project. The dungeon‚ which consisted of multiple small rooms‚ was equipped with a bed‚ a bathroom‚ and rudimentary living facilities. It was a space designed for one purpose only: to imprison and control. The victim to be imprisoned was Elisabeth‚ who was 18 at the time. She would be captured by her father while helping install the final door. Once the door was in place‚ Fritzl knocked Elisabeth out with a rag covered in ether and locked her in the cellar. Elisabeth Fritzl’s Captivity Elisabeth would remain Josef’s victim of sexual abuse for the next 24 years. When Elisabeth was young she would constantly run away‚ even making it as far as Vienna once. But she would always be returned home. These escapes coincided with the beginning of Josef’s sexual abuse of his daughter which continued for years. Then‚ shortly after her eighteenth birthday‚ Elisabeth disappeared. Josef told neighbors and family that she had run off to join a sect‚ a lie that people easily believed due to her numerous prior runaway attempts. But what actually happened was far more sinister. Elisabeth Fritzl at 16. Still from a YouTube video Life in Captivity and the Birth of Children During her captivity‚ Elisabeth endured the horror of repeated sexual assault on a daily basis. This endless torture was made worse by the fact that over her 24-year confinement‚ she was forced to give birth to seven children. Six of the children survived. Elisabeth was forced to deliver the children herself with limited knowledge and supplies. Fritzl’s cruelty extended to some of the children born in captivity as well. Three were forced to remain with Elisabeth in the dungeon‚ while another three were supposedly “dropped off” on Josef’s front door by Elisabeth for him to raise. The seventh child died within a few days of being born‚ and Josef incinerated the child’s body. He would later claim that he did not know why he did not do more to help. He just assumed the child was going to live.  Discovery and Rescue The shocking saga came to an end in 2008 when Kerstin‚ one of Elisabeth’s daughters in captivity with her‚ fell gravely ill. Josef allowed her to be taken to a hospital‚ but her unnaturally pale skin and sunken demeanor prompted medical staff to question her family background. As a result‚ Josef brought Elisabeth to the hospital to discuss Kerstin’s health with the doctors. She claimed that she had managed to escape the cult she joined. Doctors managed to get Elisabeth into a room without Josef where the truth came out. The subsequent investigation led to the revelation of the dungeon‚ Elisabeth’s captivity‚ and the unspeakable crimes committed by Josef Fritzl. He was promptly arrested‚ and the victims were finally freed from the hellish captivity they had endured Italian reporter in front of family Fritzl’s home‚ 2008 Legal Proceedings and Imprisonment Josef Fritzl faced trial in 2009. He was charged with multiple counts of rape‚ incest‚ and wrongful imprisonment. During the trial‚ the full extent of his crimes was laid bare. He attempted to defend himself by claiming he was protecting Elisabeth due to her multiple attempts to run away as a child. But as evidence mounted against him of the atrocities he committed‚ it became clear this was an act of control‚ not compassion. In March 2009‚ Fritzl pleaded guilty to all charges‚ and he was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. The case‚ with its disturbing details and the prolonged nature of the captivity‚ sent shockwaves through the international community and led to a reevaluation of child protection laws in Austria. For Elisabeth and her children‚ the transition to a normal life was a difficult one. The children born in captivity‚ having known only the confines of the dungeon‚ had to acclimate to a world they had never experienced. References Gregory‚ Andy. “Josef Fritzl says he is ‘sure’ his family will forgive him in rare statement.” Independent‚ May 11‚ 2023. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/crime/josef-fritzl-family-interview-latest-b2336949.html.  Connolly‚ Kate. “Josef Fritzl trial: ‘She spent the first five years entirely alone. He hardly ever spoke to her’.” The Guardian‚ March 19‚ 2009. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/19/josef-fritzl-austria. The post Josef Fritzl: The Horrifying Tale of the 24-Year-Long Captivity first appeared on History Defined.

The supernatural world has enraptured humanity for centuries through mythical creatures‚ tales of the afterlife‚ and pantheons of gods. Among some of the most popular and longstanding myths are those of demonic creatures‚ entities of evil that exist to oppose the good forces of the universe. Abrahamic religions (Christianity‚ Judaism‚ and Islam) share many connected stories and texts. However‚ some are not canonical for every religion. But both canon and non-canon texts have explored the history and characteristics of demons and the organizational structure of Hell‚ or of equivalent beings that usher evil into the world.  A woodcarving of Belial and some of his followers from Jacobus de Teramo’s book Buch Belial (1473) Sources of Demonic Lore Descriptions of demons have been written for centuries and cover all facets of their existence: their myriad appearances and the variety of abilities they have. Also‚ how to summon them‚ and how they oppose the order of the universe. Texts that document the details of the demonic hierarchy include the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum and The Lesser Key of Soloman. Although‚ there are hundreds more that outline demonic lore. One of the earliest and most famous was written by occultist Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa. He created a system of scaling rulership‚ with Lucifer as the supreme leader and a growing cascade of demons below him fanning out. Many of these texts explicitly leave out certain details for demonic ceremonies. This is purposeful and is meant to hinder those who would attempt to summon the demons.  Hundreds of demons are recorded in texts from across the centuries. Each has many names and appears in various stories‚ with different features‚ abilities‚ and names. Without a central canonical text‚ the titles and positions of the demons change based on the contextual lore. Different systems of belief place these kings in a different order or place them in a lower position of power. Some beliefs ascribe different demons to specific sins that they are responsible for inciting in men. Others assert that different demons rule over hell like Lucifer or Be’elzebub‚ or that there is a council of rulers. Across various grimoires and demonologies written over the centuries‚ there are over eighty-nine kings of Hell who rule in various capacities. Let alone the scores of other demons who are notable enough to have been written about.  Famous Texts That Address Demon Lore The Pseudomonarchia Daemonum‚ or The False Monarchy of Demons‚ is an early text that documents the characteristics of a long list of demons. A similar but later text‚ which draws heavily on the Pseudomonarchia Daemonun and elaborates on many aspects of it‚ is The Lesser Key of Soloman. This grimoire‚ or a mystical text regarding magical or supernatural lore‚ is divided into multiple books. The first of these books‚ the Ars Goetia‚ is the most well-known aspect of The Lesser Key. It documents a list of seventy-two demons: their abilities‚ their image‚ and how to summon them. The text is based on the Testament of Soloman‚ a non-canonical collection of text dictating the tales of King Soloman. he supposedly captured the demons and locked them away with a ring. The Circle of Solomon and Triangle of Solomon from The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King (1904) It lays out the hierarchy of demons in Hell‚ including kings‚ dukes‚ princes‚ marquis‚ counts‚ and presidents. It is one of the most comprehensive sources of demonic knowledge that exists. Of the seventy-two demons outlined between these two texts‚ there were nine kings of Hell. In other texts‚ there are more kings and various princes or other rulers that hold sway over the demons of Hell‚ but these nine kings are the most powerful demons in the most recognized text of demonology. These kings hold immense power and rule over other demonic hoards. When summoned‚ each demon king can offer immense power‚ wealth‚ or knowledge to the summoner if the ceremony is performed correctly. According to lore‚ King Solomon did just that and then documented the practice before locking away the demons.  1. Bael: The First King of Hell Bael (sometimes Baal or Ba’al) is the first spirit mentioned in both the Ars Goetia and the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum. He is described with a hoarse voice and the knowledge to turn men invisible. Some sources also attribute him with abilities of science and love. His physical form is confusing. He is described as having the head of a man in some texts‚ but also as having the heads of a cat and a toad‚ among other less common shapes. As many demons are associated with cardinal directions‚ Baal lives in an estate in the east of Hell. He commands sixty-six legions of demons. It is possible that Baal’s characteristics were influenced by the Canaanite god Baal. He is likely related to if not the same entity as Baal or Baalzebub‚ who is one of the Seven Princes of Hell from an earlier classification of demons.  Bael‚ Medium woodblock‚ from J.A.S. Collin de Plancy. Dictionnaire Infernal 2. Paimon: The King of the West Paimon is the king of the west of Hell and also leads sixty-six legions. He also is described as having a hoarse voice and is said to communicate in his native language until the person who summoned him bids him to speak in their language‚ after which he will communicate with them so they can understand. Upon summoning Paimon‚ it is written he would arrive on the back of a camel with a parade of demons shaped like men proceeding him. The broadest descriptions of Paimon classify him as a teacher‚ able to assist others in gaining knowledge. In some texts‚ he is even omniscient‚ able to answer any question asked of him truthfully‚ even if the answer is a secret.  Depiction of the demon Paimon‚ or Paymon‚ from Collin de Plancy’s Dictionnaire Infernal‚ 1863 edition 3. Beleth: The Cat King Less is known of the third king‚ Beleth (sometimes Byleth) who has the image of a terrifying cat. He is said to have eighty legions of demons under his control‚ strikingly more than the first two kings. Similar to Paimon‚ music precedes him when he is summoned. He arrives riding on the back of a pale horse. Strict directions are given for summoning Beleth to ensure he does the summoner’s bidding. Some texts claim the summoner must maintain their bravery in the face of Beleth’s intentionally terrifying appearance. You must draw a triangle from south to east to upwards using a hazel wand before commanding Beleth to do their bidding. The Psuedomonarchia Demonum claims that the son of biblical Noah was the first to summon Beleth‚ calling on him after the flood to write a book of mathematics.  Byleth‚ an illustration from the “Dictionnaire Infernal” by Jacques Collin de Plancy. 4. Purson: The Familiar King Purson‚ the fourth king‚ is depicted as a man with the head of a lion‚ riding a large bear instead of a horse. He commands twenty-two legions of demons. He carries a viper in one hand‚ and a trumpet in the other. He has a crowd of trumpeting demons who announce his arrival. It is also believed that Purson will trumpet the arrival of the Antichrist during Revelations. Like Paimon‚ Purson is said to know of hidden things and can tell the past‚ present‚ and future. He answers every question a summoner may have. He is also known to produce familiars. Familiars are creatures whose purpose is to help magicians and witches with their craft and can take on myriad forms. They are summoned for a specific purpose before being dismissed.  The Demon Purson‚ or Pruflas 5. Asmodeus: The Demon King That Built the Temple of Soloman Asmodeus is a demon present in many different theologies‚ specifically across Abrahamic religions. His image is that of a three-headed creature: one head is a bull‚ one head is a man‚ and one is a goat. He also has the tail of a serpent and breathes fire‚ similar to the dragon that he rides upon while leading seventy-two legions of demons. Sometimes he is a prince of demons‚ and other times he is the king of demons and daemons‚ which are lesser demons. In the most famous story of Asmodeus‚ King Soloman summons the demon king to assist in building the Temple of Soloman‚ located in Jerusalem. Asmodeus then predicts that Soloman’s kingdom will soon be divided. In other texts‚ Asmodeus is also defined as the demon of lust‚ married to Lilith who was Adam’s first wife in the Garden of Eden who was cast out for not abiding by God’s laws.  Depiction of the demon Asmodaeus‚ a king of demons‚ from J.A.S. Collin de Plancy. Dictionnaire Infernal 6. Vine: The Builder and Destroyer Vine is the sixth king mentioned in the Ars Goetia. He is similar to Purson in appearance. He is described as a lion riding a black horse and carrying a viper in his hand. He has thirty-six legions of demons under his command. Like many of the other demons‚ Vine is able to assist with sorcery and answer questions about all events throughout time but uniquely has the ability to build towers and destroy walls. The etymology of the name is derived from a medieval tool used to destroy walls during an invasion.  The demon‚ Vine 7. Balam: The Three-Headed Manipulator Balam commands forty legions of demons. He is also omniscient in answering questions‚ unveiling the answer to any question a summoner may have. Similar to Baal‚ Balam has the ability to make people invisible‚ although he also has the unique ability to make men witty. Also similar to Baal‚ Balam is described as having three heads. One head is a bull‚ one is a ram‚ and one is human‚ as well as having flaming eyes and the tail of a snake. He rides a bear‚ like Purson‚ but carries a hawk in his hand instead of a serpent. Scholars believe that his name is derived from Balaam‚ who in the Bible is a prophet and manipulator who led the Israelites into worshiping a false idol.  The demon‚ Balam 8. Zagan: The Transmogrifier Zagan is the eighth king of Hell‚ but also a President. He commands thirty-three legions and physically is a griffin-winged bull‚ although he can also take the form of a man. Along with the ability to make men more intelligent‚ answering questions they have like other demons but also improving their natural wisdom. Alongside this‚ Zagan can also convert water into wine‚ wine into water‚ and blood into wine‚ although some texts trade out the use of water and blood for oil. He also has transmogrification powers‚ with the ability to turn any metal into a coin made with that metal. This kind of transformation can easily make a man wealthy if they summoned Zagan.  The demon‚ Zagan 9. Belial: The Most Infamous Demon King Belial‚ the final king of Hell‚ also has a broad legacy in Abrahamic religions. Belial is mentioned nearly thirty times in the Old Testament and Masoretic Text as an embodiment of worthlessness or wickedness. Etymologists believe the name is derived from the Hebrew words beli which means “without” and ya’al which means “to be of value.” The term “son of Belial” is used throughout the Old Testament to demarcate someone who is morally bankrupt or who has committed heinous acts‚ the lowest of the low. Belial himself is described in further detail in the Second Temple period texts. He is accepted in the Jewish faith as canon but not in the Christian faith. The Dead Sea Scrolls outline Belial as the direct opposition of God. He bypasses even Lucifer as a source of evil‚ despite other texts claiming Belial was created second to Lucifer.  Belial‚ the final King of Hell As the list above demonstrates‚ demons share several skills‚ such as answering summoners’ questions about events past‚ present‚ and future. They also share several characteristics‚ such as riding various creatures and having bodies that are amalgamations of animals. But since sources vary and none of the grimoires are canonical texts‚ the details of each demon are fluid and can be construed in different ways. Regardless of belief system though‚ it is clear that these kings of hell hold immense power and influence. Many exist across theologies and are mentioned in multiple stories‚ truly capturing the fears and desires of mankind throughout the ages.  References Green‚ Joseph. “(In Pics) The Nine Kings of Hell.” Historic Mysteries‚ August 25‚ 2023. https://www.historicmysteries.com/kings-of-hell/.  Peterson‚ Joseph H. “Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis Rex: The little Key of Salomon the King Part 1: Of the Arte Goetia.” Esoteric Archives‚ October 8‚ 2023. http://www.esotericarchives.com/solomon/goetia.htm. The post 9 Kings of Hell: Demonic Rulers and Their Legions first appeared on History Defined.

On Tuesday‚ September 16‚ 2016‚ a backhoe owned by Simonson Construction tore into the facade of 363 Covert Court in Ashland‚ Ohio. A police barrier had been erected to keep out the modest crowd of locals who had gathered to watch the demolition. But the emotion from the gathering was palpable as the house began to fall. This house had become a horrifying reminder of a series of murders that rocked the city‚ all of them committed by serial killer Shawn Grate. Over several years Grate would murder five women. Two of their bodies would be found within the Covert Court house upon his arrest.  In this article‚ we’ll examine Shawn Grate‚ his crimes‚ his victims‚ and the brave woman whose desperate call for help would bring Grate to justice once and for all. Shawn Grate in court. Jason Molyet‚ News Journal. The Early Life of Shawn Grate Shawn Grate was a lifelong resident of Ohio. His familiarity with his local community may have played a part in why he was able to kill without detection for so many years. Before Shawn was a murderer‚ though‚ he lived a relatively peaceful childhood. It was marred with a few incidents that warped the young man for life.  He was born in Marion‚ Ohio to mother Theresa McFarland and father Terry Grate on August 8‚ 1976. The first five years of his life were uneventful. But just two days before his sixth birthday‚ his parents would get divorced.  The divorce didn’t start to affect Shawn until he was 11 when his mother left to live with a man in Kentucky. Shawn remained living with his father‚ and it was at this time that his siblings began to notice the violent thoughts that Shawn would harbor for his mother.  Grate was a fantastic baseball player but broke his arm during high school and could never play again. He began to show signs of depression‚ sometimes laying on the couch for days in a sort of stupor.  Shawn Grate was still attending River Valley High School when his tendency for violence began to show. He was arrested for attempting to choke his girlfriend in 1994‚ and later‚ after graduation‚ he was caught breaking into a home in Marion County to steal valuable jewelry.  Later‚ he would marry Amber Nicole Bowman‚ but the couple divorced after just a year. They had a daughter together‚ but Bowman was able to get a restraining order against Grate citing domestic violence concerns. This was a haunting precursor to what Grate would do to other women in the near future.  How Many Kids Does Shawn Grate Have? Shawn Grate has three children. One with his ex-wife Amber Nicole Bowman. His other two children would be with two separate women whose identities have not been made public. The Ashland Murders  Grate would bounce between living situations and jobs for years‚ never settling. Only a little was heard about the man until late one night‚ on September 13‚ 2016‚ a phone call came into the Ashland police dispatch.  The woman on the other line was speaking in a hurried whisper. She was saying that she was being held captive and that the man who abducted her was sleeping in the bed just inches away. She did her best to describe where the house was but was almost caught when she knocked Grate’s taser off the bedside table‚ briefly waking him up. Luckily‚ Grate would simply roll over and go back to sleep…and the police were on their way.  This woman‚ who is only referred to as Jane Doe to protect her identity‚ was saved by police after being held for a terrifying three days by Shawn Grate. During that time he sexually assaulted her‚ keeping her bound to the bed‚ until she was finally able to call for help. Grate was arrested‚ and the yellow house on Covert Court was searched thoroughly. To the horror of officers‚ two other bodies were found–one in a closet‚ and the other in the basement‚ revealing that Grate wasn’t just a kidnapper‚ but a murderer.  This is where police arrested Shawn Grate‚ rescued a woman he had abducted‚ and found two dead bodies in Ashland‚ Ohio. Was Jane Doe Rescued From Shawn Grate? Despite calling the police while lying right next to Grate‚ and even waking him up accidentally during the call‚ Jane Doe was successfully rescued by the police. Her bravery led to the discovery of Grate’s other victims and stopped his murder spree in its tracks.  The Victims of Ohio Serial Killer Shawn Grate  The two murder victims and kidnapping victim Jane Doe were horrifying enough. But once he was behind bars‚ Grate confessed to three other killings. The victims of Shawn Grate were:  Stacey Stanley- Stacey Stanley‚ also known as Stacey Hicks‚ was one of the two victims found in the Ashland house. She had been reported missing a week before police apprehended Grate. Elizabeth Griffith- The second victim to be found in the Ashland house was Elizabeth Griffith. By the time her remains were found‚ she had been missing for a month. Candice Cunningham- On the very same day he was arrested‚ Grate led police to the body of Candice Cunnigham behind a burned-out house in Richmond County.  Rebekah Leicy- While in prison‚ Grate confessed to killing Rebekah Lacey. Her body was found in March 2015‚ but her death was initially thought to be from a drug overdose. Shawn Grate told police that he strangled Leicy because she had stolen money from his place of employment.  Dana Lowrey- Shawn Grate also confessed to killing another woman whose name he didn’t remember exactly‚ but he told police that he thought her name was “Dana”. When her remains were found in 2006‚ they couldn’t be identified. In 2019‚ the DNA Doe Project was able to confirm that the remains were those of Dana Lowrey. Where Is Shawn Grate Now? After the trial‚ Shawn Grate pled guilty to all five murders and was sentenced to both life in prison and death. At this time‚ he is imprisoned at Chillicothe Correctional Institution but will be transferred to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville‚ Ohio‚ for his execution which is tentatively set for 2025.  Shawn Grate’s mugshot. Ashland County Sheriff’s Office References “State v. Grate‚ 164 Ohio St.3d 9‚ 2020-Ohio-5584” https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2020/2020-Ohio-5584.pdf “Ohio Supreme Court upholds conviction‚ death sentence for serial killer Shawn Grate”- Julia Bingel https://www.cleveland19.com/2020/12/10/ohio-supreme-court-upholds-conviction-death-sentence-serial-killer-shawn-grate/The post Serial Killer‚ Shawn Grate and his House of Horrors first appeared on History Defined.

When we talk about history’s greatest firsts‚ several landmark achievements come to mind. In 1969‚ Neil Armstrong did what many thought could never be done‚ becoming the first person to step foot on the moon. Charles Lindbergh became the first person to fly across the Atlantic in 1927. In terms of sailing around the world‚ while many think it was Christopher Columbus‚ it was actually Ferdinand Magellan from 1519 to 1522. But one historic achievement is a bit of a mystery: nobody knows who was the first person to climb Mount Everest. While official records give that honor to Edmund Hillary in 1953‚ many historians say George Mallory may have reached that peak first in 1924. Mallory led one of the first British expeditions up the world’s highest mountains. However‚ he disappeared‚ and for the longest time could not be found. His body wasn’t discovered until 75 years later‚ very near the top of the summit. It has led to one of history’s greatest mysteries: Did Mallory actually reach the top of Mount Everest?  British climber George Mallory Who Was George Mallory? George Mallory started as a clergyman‚ studying at Winchester College. However‚ as time passed‚ he developed a strong passion for climbing after he was recruited by one of his teachers to go on a hiking trip to the Alps. Many who knew Mallory say he was apt at it. He picked up the skill quickly and mastered the ability to conquer new routes. But climbing was never Mallory’s main job. Instead‚ he was a soldier during World War I‚ serving in France. He also taught in 1919 in Cambridge‚ England‚ after the war was over. But climbing was always his passion‚ as evidenced by him being a top member of the Alpine Club. This was a prestigious group for only the best climbers. In 1921‚ it was announced that there would be a British Mount Everest Reconnaissance Expedition‚ and Mallory would be a big part of the team. The ambitious Mallory had always said it was a dream of his to reach the top of Mount Everest. When someone asked why he would want to do it‚ he simply responded with‚ “It’s there.”  The Expeditions In the early 1920s‚ climbing and reaching the top of Mount Everest was seen as the next big discovery. The North and South Pole had been navigated‚ and the sources of all the world’s major rivers were uncovered. Efforts were now underway by teams to try and become the first to reach the world’s highest point‚ a 29‚035-foot mountain located in the Himalayan Mountains bordering Nepal and China. This was known as the “Third Pole.”  Mallory was an integral part of the expedition team. He helped map out the first expedition in 1921‚ trying to find a route to reach the summit. However‚ high winds ended the mission after making substantial progress. Mallory was also a part of the second expedition in 1922‚ which included the use of bottled oxygen. The team reached 27‚300 feet before an avalanche killed some of the team’s members and were forced to cancel the rest of the journey. The third expedition happened in 1924‚ one of which the now 38-year-old Mallory was extremely confident he would succeed with. However‚ he was concerned he’d never make it back home. Mallory was steadfast in doing what no one else could ever do. When high winds and heavy snow forced most of the members to stay behind‚ Mallory and partner Andrew Irvine kept going‚ determined to reach the summit. However‚ they were running out of supplies and oxygen‚ and people that knew Mallory came to the conclusion that he would die trying to reach the top. Irvine was an important of Mallory’s attempt to push forward. Irvine was an expert with oxygen tanks‚ and Mallory had come around to the fact that they could not survive the full journey without the help of artificial air. Irvine’s ability to rebuild unreliable rigs was essential to the mission. Some members of the 1924 British Mount Everest expedition: Mallory is highlighted beside Edward F. Norton to his left and Geoffrey Bruce far right. The Final Expedition On June 6‚ the men were at 23‚100 feet‚ and could arguably reach the top of the summit within three days‚ which would mark a historical achievement. By June 8‚ they had gotten to 26‚800 feet. Shortly after this‚ geologist Neil Odell‚ who had gone with them earlier in the expedition and stayed behind‚ had spotted them journeying up the mountain through the mist. They were roughly one day from becoming the first men in history to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Unfortunately‚ that was the last report of anyone having seen Mallory and Irvine‚ both of whom disappeared into the clouds that came sweeping down. Odell reported that a strong snow squall moved in at the top of the mountain. He found oxygen canisters in one of their last tents. He continued looking for signs of life from the men. Odell reached the last camp of Mallory and Irvine. He waited with anxiety for the men to return‚ but no one came. In his tent‚ he found a torch. If Mallory had remembered to take it‚ he could have sent up flares showing where he was. Hope quickly vanished inside Odell when he couldn’t find his friends. A few days later‚ news spread that Mallory was lost and likely dead. Evidence for Mallory Reaching the Summit Debates began to grow that Mallory and Irvine did‚ in fact‚ get to the summit of Mount Everest. According to Odell‚ the last man to have seen them‚ the two men were going very strong. He claimed that they had reached what is called “The Second Step‚” which is very near the base of the base of the summit pyramid. Once past this very steep step‚ which ascends to 28‚250 feet‚ you reach the pyramid which takes you to the top of the mountain. View northward of Mount Everest In the 1930s‚ the first piece of evidence that Mallory had advanced past where he was last seen was confirmed. His axe was discovered at 27‚700 feet. Other items were found in the coming years. A Chinese explorer‚ traveling the same expedition as Mallory and Irvine‚ found a body in 1975. Many believed this was the body of Irvine. In 1991‚ an oxygen canister was found. Mallory’s body was eventually found at 26‚760 feet in 1999‚ and a study showed he died of a bad fall. However‚ the question is where did he fall from? Mallory was buried at the site where he was discovered. Over the years‚ mountaineers have conducted studies to try and uncover the mystery of what happened to Mallory and Irvine. Most experts don’t believe the men could have survived making it up the Second Step with the supplies they had. It’s an extremely difficult and steep rock‚ where you need rope‚ anchors‚ and a ladder. These were eventually added to the Second Step to help one reach the summit. The answer to whether the two men reached the Summit may still one day be answered. A camera is still missing‚ and if that is found‚ it could provide evidence as to where the men were last seen. Until then‚ the debates will continue. References “George Mallory: British Explorer and Mountaineer.” Britannica.com. 9 Nov 2023. https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Mallory.  Clark‚ Lisel. “The Mystery of Mallory &; Irvine ‘24.” PBS. Nd. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/lost/mystery/. The post Did Adventurer George Mallory Make it to the Top of Everest? first appeared on History Defined.