The continuing excavation of Berlin’s oldest square, the Molkenmarkt, has uncovered a rare cache of six 13th century silver coins. The coins were minted by co-ruling Margraves of Brandenburg-Salzwedel Otto IV and Otto V (1260/65-1293) Five of them are intact one denier coins; the sixth is one half of a denier that was cut down the middle. The obverse side depicts the margrave standing between two domed towers supported by double arches. A crowned eagle is on the reverse. Dr. Christoph Rauhut, State Conservator and Director of the Berlin State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments : “The coins found are an important testament to the consolidation of medieval Berlin in the 13th century. They can be documented for the first time in Berlin at the Molkenmarkt.” The Molkenmarkt excavation is the largest urban excavation in Germany and has so far uncovered more than 700,000 artifacts, including 14th century reliquary figurines and a 17th century Japanese short sword. This year’s excavation also uncovered medieval footware  – a leather boot, leather shoe, a woolen stocking — in pristine condition. The archaeological interventions at Molkenmarkt extend to an average depth of four meters, requiring the excavation of more than 88,000 m³ of “historical” subsoil. The effort is worthwhile: due to the complete surface sealing in the mid-20th century, the archaeological material has been almost entirely preserved, and the range of features and finds spans from the medieval founding of the town to the 20th century. These include – in addition to the “underground” town of the 18th to 20th centuries – a 50-meter-long and up to seven-meter-wide plank road (circa 1230), several fortified ditches from the 13th century, hundreds of wells and latrines (13th–18th centuries) with their corresponding finds, medieval cellar and house remains made of wood, as well as clay dome ovens and forges. Furthermore, several prehistoric, especially Stone Age, areas have been identified.

1924 - School in Babb's Switch, Oklahoma, catches fire, 36 die 1963 - Greeks and Turks riot in Cyprus 1973 - Ferryboat capsized off coast of Equador, drowning 200 1974 - The Sporting News bestows St Louis Cardinals outfielder Lou Brock their MLB Player of the Year Award 1977 - "Ghost to the Post", Raiders tight end Dave Casper ("The Ghost") catches a 42-yard reception to set up the Raiders' tying field goal near the end of regulation (Raiders win in OT) 1984 - Palace coup in Mauritania 1989 - Charles Taylor starts the First Liberian Civil War when he enters the country at the head of the guerrilla group National Patriotic Front of Liberia to overthrow President Samuel Doe 1991 - Ballon d'Or: Marseille forward Jean-Pierre Papin is named Europe's best football player; first from the French League to win the trophy More Historical Events »

Public DomainGilbert Stuart painted this portrait of George Washington in 1804, five years after the first president’s death. As the first president of the United States, George Washington is one of the most recognizable figures in American history. That’s thanks in part to his portrait on the $1 bill. Now, one of the original portraits by artist Gilbert Stuart that inspired Washington’s depiction on the currency is heading to auction. Stuart created many paintings of the first president, and this particular work of art was commissioned by James Madison in 1804. Experts estimate that it will sell for up to $1 million when it hits the auction block in January 2026. Gilbert Stuart’s Paintings Of George Washington This portrait will be sold as part of an auction organized by Christie’s in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Stuart’s painting is one of hundreds of pieces of “Americana” set to be sold at New York City’s Rockefeller Center in January. Public DomainGilbert Stuart, the artist behind some of the most famous portraits of George Washington. Gilbert Stuart was already a well-known portraitist when he was introduced to George Washington in 1794 through a letter written by John Jay, the first chief justice of the Supreme Court. The following year, Washington sat for Stuart for the first time, which resulted in the Vaughan Portrait. Then, in 1796, the president sat for Stuart two more times, leading to the Athenaeum Portrait and the Lansdowne Portrait. From these three paintings, Stuart went on to create dozens of replicas and copies. The Athenaeum is his most famous, even though he never finished the portrait. It was used to make the engraving that appears on the $1 bill today. Stuart also used the Athenaeum as a model when James Madison commissioned a portrait of George Washington in 1804, five years after the first president’s death. The 1804 Washington Portrait’s Long History Madison proudly displayed Stuart’s 1804 portrait of Washington for years, and it was eventually inherited by his son. By the 1850s, it had been purchased by businessman William Henry Aspinwall, and it was later owned by industrialist James W. Ellsworth and art collector William K. Bixby. Then, in 1951, it was gifted to Clarkson University in New York by Robert L. Clarkson, whose family had founded the institution. Public DomainGilbert Stuart’s unfinished Athenaeum Portrait of George Washington inspired both Stuart’s 1804 painting and the engraving on the $1 bill. In 1968, three members of the school’s Theta Xi fraternity stole the painting as a joke, thinking it was a reproduction. They quickly returned it when they learned the truth. As one of the men, Stephen Pazian, told The Washington Post, “We had the, ‘Oh, sh—’ moment.” All charges against them were ultimately expunged. Several years ago, the board of trustees at Clarkson University decided the painting may be better off elsewhere, as there is no art museum on campus. Now, the school hopes to use the proceeds to fund additional educational opportunities. In 2015, one of Stuart’s Athenaeum portraits sold for $1,062,500. The fact that this 1804 painting once belonged to James Madison only adds to its value, and experts expect that it will bring in anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million. After reading about the George Washington portrait that’s going up for auction, go inside the death of the first president. Then, learn seven shocking facts about the Founding Fathers. The post A Painting Of George Washington That Inspired His Portrait On The $1 Bill Is Heading To Auction appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Dear Zachary/FacebookBaby Zachary Andrew Turner, whose short life became the center of a devastating custody battle that ended in tragedy. On July 18, 2002, Zachary Andrew Turner was born into a nightmare. To the outside world, he was a happy, bright-eyed little boy, but behind every photograph was a dark secret: Zachary’s mother, Dr. Shirley Turner, had seemingly murdered his father while pregnant with him. Turner allegedly shot her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Bagby, to death in a Pennsylvania parking lot in November 2001, just a few weeks after conceiving Zachary. She then fled to Canada, where she had citizenship. While she was arrested in Newfoundland, a judge determined that she wasn’t a threat and released her on bail while she was awaiting extradition to the United States and trial for murder. Bagby’s parents moved to Canada to fight for custody of Zachary after his birth. They didn’t trust Shirley Turner. Their instincts turned out to be right. On August 18, 2003, when Zachary was just 13 months old, Turner strapped him to her chest and jumped into the Atlantic Ocean. Their bodies washed ashore not long after. From the moment he entered the world, Zachary Turner was caught between the people who loved him and a system that repeatedly failed him. His short life and violent death would later become the subject of one of the most heartbreaking documentaries ever made, Dear Zachary. Shirley Turner’s Alleged Murder Of Andrew Bagby Andrew Bagby built his life around helping others. In 1999, he was a third-year medical student at Memorial University of Newfoundland when he met Shirley Turner, who had recently earned her degree from the same school and was training as a resident physician. They began dating, and even when Bagby graduated and returned to the United States for a surgical residency, they still saw each other fairly frequently. Dear Zachary/FacebookAndrew Bagby, the father of Zachary Bagby, was allegedly murdered by his ex-girlfriend, Shirley Turner. Turner’s charm initially masked a long past of emotional volatility. As her relationship with Bagby progressed, he became unnerved by her dramatic mood swings and obsessive behavior. He tried to break up with her several times, and by the fall of 2001, he had decided to finally end things for good. Then, on the morning of Nov. 5, 2001, 28-year-old Bagby was found shot to death in a parking lot at Pennsylvania’s Keystone State Park. Almost immediately, suspicion centered on one person: Turner. Turner’s past relationships had been volatile. She was possessive and prone to explosive emotional outbursts. Bagby had finally ended their tumultuous relationship in the days before his death, telling friends he was exhausted and ready to move on. But Shirley Turner wasn’t. HandoutAndrew Bagby with Shirley Turner, whose tragic relationship ended in his murder and the death of their son, Zachary. On the night of Nov. 4, Bagby agreed to meet Turner one last time to bring closure to their relationship. Instead, it became the last time anyone saw him alive. Investigators would later learn that Turner had driven nearly 1,000 miles to confront him. Within weeks, Turner revealed that she was pregnant with Bagby’s child. That baby was Zachary. The Life Of Zachary Andrew Turner By the time investigators knew about Shirley Turner’s pregnancy, she had already fled to Canada. She was arrested on Dec. 12, 2001. American police were almost certain that Turner had killed Bagby, but despite their evidence and Turner’s erratic behavior, a series of legal missteps and judicial failures allowed her to remain free. This devastating chain of events would ultimately claim the life of Zachary Andrew Turner. While U.S. officials pushed for Shirley Turner’s extradition, Canadian courts claimed that she wasn’t a threat. A judge released her on bail even though she was awaiting trial for murder. She was allowed to walk free — and she was allowed to retain custody of her newborn son. HandoutShirley Turner holding little Zachary Turner. Andrew Bagby’s grieving parents, Kathleen and David Bagby, immediately moved from California to Newfoundland to fight for custody of Zachary Andrew Turner. They dedicated their lives to protecting the infant and became the only stable, loving presence he had. But whenever Turner demanded her child back, the courts forced the Bagbys to comply. As Turner awaited extradition, her behavior grew increasingly volatile. According to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Office of the Child and Youth Advocate, she harassed a new love interest, calling him more than 200 times in a single month. She lied about being pregnant again. She stalked him, threatened him, and left alarming messages. Professionals who assessed Turner seemed to minimize every red flag, though. She was labeled as “stressed” rather than dangerous and “overwhelmed” rather than violent. Meanwhile, the Bagbys documented Turner’s behavior, pleading with child welfare officials to protect Zachary. However, Turner repeatedly portrayed herself as a misunderstood single mother, and Zachary remained in her care. David and Kathleen BigbyZachary Andrew Turner with his grandparents, David and Kathleen Bigby on Christmas 2002. During Zachary Andrew Turner’s first birthday party, the baby reached for his grandmother instead of his mom. Turner became visibly upset. “He obviously loves you more than me,” she snapped. “So why don’t you take him?” The last time Kathleen and David Bagby saw Zachary alive was during a court-ordered visitation on August 17, 2003. They strapped him into his car seat and kissed him goodbye. As Turner drove away with him, Kathleen felt an overwhelming sense of dread. The next day, both Shirley and Zachary Turner were dead. The Night Of The Murder-Suicide On August 18, 2003, Shirley picked up a prescription for lorazepam, a powerful sedative often used to treat anxiety. She fed a large dose of the drug to Zachary in his bottle and took a handful of the pills herself. Then, she drove to a wharf in Conception Bay South. With Zachary strapped tightly to her chest, Turner jumped into the Atlantic Ocean. The CBC reported at the time that a couple walking their dog along the beach discovered her body washed up the next morning. Rescuers then found Zachary Andrew Turner just yards away from his mother. He was only 13 months old. Tango7174/Wikimedia CommonsConception Bay South, the waterfront where Shirley Turner jumped into the Atlantic with baby Zachary strapped to her chest. An autopsy later confirmed that Zachary had been heavily drugged before his death and was likely unconscious when he drowned. A homicide investigation later concluded what everyone already knew: This was not an accident. It was murder. The child the Bagbys had fought so desperately to protect had been killed by the one person the courts insisted should have custody of him. In the years that followed, filmmaker Kurt Kuenne, Andrew Bagby’s childhood friend, completed the documentary he had begun after Bagby’s murder. Originally, it was meant as a gift — a way for Zachary to someday know the father he’d never meet. However, what was supposed to be a tribute to Bagby became a record of every systemic failure that led to Zachary Turner’s death. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father devastated audiences worldwide. In 2006, Canada enacted Bill C-464, also known as “Zachary’s Bill,” allowing courts to deny bail to individuals accused of serious crimes when the safety of a child is at stake. Zachary Andrew Turner’s death exposed the unthinkable consequences of prioritizing an accused killer’s comfort over a child’s safety. The bill passed in 2010. Zachary’s story had changed the law, but it was far too late to save him. After reading the tragic story of Zachary Andrew Turner, learn about the Atlanta child murders. Then, go inside the story of Shelly Knotek, the serial killer mom who was released from prison. The post The Tragic Story Of Zachary Andrew Turner, The One-Year-Old Who Was Murdered By His Own Mother appeared first on All That's Interesting.

  For thousands of years, cats have played an important part in human civilization. Through the ages, they have been regarded as sacred animals, valued for their ability to control pests, and have crawled into the hearts of their owners, forming bonds of familial friendship and love.   Some cats have even caught the attention of the public and risen to fame and stardom in their own right.   1. Ta-Miu, a Famous Cat and Companion to a Prince Detail on the sarcophagus of Ta-Miu, Prince Thutmose’s cat. Source: Cairo Museum   It is no secret that the ancient Egyptians had a great reverence for the feline species. One of the oldest of all famous cats, Ta-Miu (She-Cat), was a pet of Crown Prince Thutmose, the son of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye, who lived around 3400 years ago in Egypt. Little is known of the prince’s life save for the fact that he died at a young age. He is better remembered for the fact that his resting place was accompanied by a sarcophagus for the mummified remains of his cat.   The limestone sarcophagus, upon which is a relief carving of the princely pet, now rests in the Cairo Museum, proving that a bond between humans and cats has existed for thousands of years.   Not long before Ta-Miu, another famous cat was Nedjem (Sweetie), the pet of Puimre, a priest of Amun during the reign of Hatshepsut. Nedjem was depicted in relief on Puimre’s tomb and is the oldest cat whose name we know!   2. Pangur Bán, a Medieval Inspiration A sculpture of Pangur Bán in the Rose Garden of Kilkenny Castle, part of the Kilkenny Cat Walk held from October 2021 to April 2022, photograph by A.-K. D., 20201. Source: Wikimedia Commons   In the 9th century, an Irish monk wrote a beautiful poem about his cat, likely the oldest known literature about a feline. In the poem, entitled Pangur Bán (the cat’s name), the author compared the cat’s mouse-hunting activities to his own literary endeavors.   Little is known of the cat and the author, but one theory put forth by Professor W. J. Gruffydd suggests that “Pangur” is a version of the Welsh word “pannwr,” meaning “fuller,” which is associated with the color white. Thus, he suggests, the cat may have been white.   Modern associations have given Pangur Bán popularity, and he has appeared in books and films.   3. Unsinkable Sam, a Famous Sailor Unsinkable Sam, by Georgina Shaw Baker. Source: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London   One of the most famous cats in history, Unsinkable Sam led a life full of adventure. There is some debate over his origins, and many of his life details are considered apocryphal. As such, the story of Unsinkable Sam is one of legend rather than pure fact. Some pictures believed to depict Sam were actually of a cat named Simon who served aboard the HMS Amethyst and became famous for surviving an artillery attack during the Yangtze Incident. Despite all odds, Simon survived and was awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry.   Nevertheless, the story that earned Sam his fame is incredibly popular in modern memory and earned the feline considerable attention. On May 27, 1941, after a fierce battle in the Atlantic Ocean, the Bismarck was sent to a watery grave with virtually all of its crew. There were just 114 survivors and one cat—“Oskar,” as the crew of the HMS Cossack called him. The feline joined the crew of the destroyer until the ship fell victim to a U-boat attack five months later. The heavily damaged ship was taken under tow but sank in a storm shortly thereafter.   Oskar survived to become the ship’s cat of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. By this time, Oskar had been renamed “Unsinkable Sam.”   Less than three weeks later, the Ark Royal was torpedoed, and Sam was found clinging to a plank and rescued by the HMS Legion, after which he was taken ashore. He spent the rest of the war in a seamen’s retirement village in Belfast and died in 1955.   4. Félicette, the First (And Only) Cat Launched Into Space Félicette, the world’s first and only spacecat. Source: BBC Sky at Night Magazine/ina.fr/Youtube.com   When it comes to animals and space flight, Laika the dog is probably the most well-known. A stray cat from Paris, however, also made the same journey. The French decided to use cats instead of dogs or monkeys, and in 1961, they began their preparations to send a cat into space.   There were 14 potential candidates for the flight. The cats were all female and given numbers instead of names to prevent the scientists from forming attachments. They were put into small, confined spaces and subjected to centrifugal experiments. “C 341” was selected due to her calm demeanor and low body weight of just 5.5 lbs. Electrodes were attached to her all over her body, and on October 18, 1963, she was blasted into space in a flight that lasted just 13 minutes.   The flight data was sent to the media, and “C 341” was given the name Félix, which was then changed to the feminine form “Félicette.” Like so many animals in the world of scientific experimentation, Félicette’s story did not end happily. She was euthanized two months after her flight so that her brain could be examined.   Of the other candidates, one cat died in a subsequent mission, one was adopted by the science team as a mascot, and most were euthanized at the end of the program.   In 2019, a crowd-funded campaign to memorialize Félicette resulted in the unveiling of a statue of the first feline in space. While Félicette’s participation in her achievement was certainly not voluntary, and while she could be considered a victim of animal abuse rather than a hero, her story is one that deserves to be told.   5. The Right Honorable Larry Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, Larry. Source: Wikimedia Commons/His Majesty’s Government   Serving as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office (an official title), Larry has lived in No. 10 Downing Street since 2011, thus being a far more permanent resident than the six prime ministers since Larry took up residency!   Larry was born in 2007 and spent his early life in Battersea Dogs & Cats Home before being adopted. Originally intended to be a pet for Prime Minister David Cameron’s children, Larry stayed on as Chief Mouser after Cameron left and has served in the position ever since, keeping No.10 free of rodents.   According to No.10’s official website, “Larry spends his days greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality.” Larry has stated that his solution to the mouse occupancy problem is still “in tactical planning stage.”   Larry is currently 18 years old and a much-beloved figure in British society, with his exploits often reported in the press.   6. Tombili the Street Cat Tombili the Cat in life; with statue of Tombili the Cat, photograph by Nevit. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Tombili was a street cat who lived in Istanbul, Türkiye. Not much is known about the details of his life. Although the media reported his sex as male, even this is disputed. His name, “Tombili,” is Turkish for “Chubby.” The cat first drew attention due to a photograph in which he is seen lounging on the sidewalk in an anthropomorphic fashion.   This photograph garnered the cat considerable fame. After he died in 2016 from kidney failure, the mayor of Kadıköy district in Istanbul received a petition containing 17,000 signatures asking for a statue to be erected in the cat’s honor. Thus, on October 4, 2016, Tombili was memorialized in bronze.   A month later, the statue was stolen, generating a huge outcry around the country. The statue was, however, returned safely a few days later.   7. Lil BUB, the Permanent Kitten Lil BUB. Image used with permission from Mike Bridavsky (Lil BUB’s owner). Source: lilbub.com   In 2011, Lil BUB was born the runt of the litter in a tool shed in Indiana. She had dwarfism and several genetic deformities, which resulted in her looking like a kitten for her whole life. She had a long body but short legs and a short lower jaw, which meant that her tongue was always sticking out.   The result of all these deformities meant that Lil BUB’s appearance was the subject of much adoration and attention. Weighing just 3.9 lb, Lil BUB was indeed a tiny cat, and she had a life full of adventure, with media appearances, book signings, photoshoots, and even a music album where her vocalizations were mixed with electronic music tracks. Lil BUB starred in Lil Bub & Friendz, a documentary that featured several other famous cats. Her owner, Mike Bridavsky, gave his cat extra special attention, and Lil BUB received much love and care throughout her life.   Lil BUB died in her sleep on December 1, 2019, while fighting a bone infection in her jaw. Despite her passing, Lil BUB’s legacy lives on in Lil Bub’s Big Fund, which advocates for animals with special needs.   8. Grumpy Cat, a Famous Internet Cat Tardar Sauce was “Grumpy Cat,” photograph by Gage Skidmore, 2014. Source: Wikimedia Commons/Flickr   Over the past few decades, social media and the internet have brought a whole new dimension to the fame that cats could achieve. Cat videos and memes have truly become some of the modern world’s biggest phenomena, turning their feline subjects into the internet’s most popular animals.   There are many stars in these genres, but a few attained the heights of fame achieved by Tardar Sauce, better known as “Grumpy Cat.”   Born on April 4, 2012, Tardar Sauce was one of a litter of four kittens. She and one of her brothers, Pokey, displayed the same condition of feline dwarfism, giving them a permanently “grumpy look.”   On September 22, 2012, a photograph of her was published on Reddit, and the “Grumpy Cat” phenomenon took off. Her permanently grumpy-looking face became an internet meme, and images of her were accompanied by humorously negative and cynical comments.   Grumpy Cat received sponsorships, and a major merchandising campaign followed. T-shirts, mugs, and stuffed toys were made, while books and even a video game were created.   In 2019, at the age of seven, Tardar Sauce passed away in her owner’s (Tabatha Bundesen) arms due to complications from a urinary tract infection. Tributes came in from around the world, and she was buried in Sunland Pet Rest Cemetery in Sun City, Arizona.   Grumpy Cat having a nap at the 2014 VidCon at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, photograph by Gage Skidmore, 2014. Source: Wikimedia Commons/Grumpy Cat/Flickr   While dogs often take center stage as “man’s best friend,” there is no doubt that cats have played their part in history, whether it was for their abilities to catch mice, their charming appearance, or simply for the companionship they offer. Throughout the millennia, they have been the subjects of poetry, art, literature, and affection worldwide, often garnering the attention of more than just their owners!