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OTD April 28th. 1612 - Odoardo Farnese, Duke of Parma

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April 28th. 1612 marks the birth of Odoardo Farnese, also known as Odoardo I Farnese, to distinguish him from his grandson Odoardo II Farnese. Family His parents were Ranuccio I Farnese and Margherita Aldobrandini. Love & Marriage On October 11th. 1628 Odoardo Farnese married Margherita de' Medici, a daughter of Cosimo II de' Medici and Maria Maddalena of Austria. This took place in Florence (Italy). The wedding ceremonies were accompanied with much spectacle, including the performance of a special opera. Margherita de' Medici was described as a beautiful, amiable and well-educated woman. The Duke was very devoted to her. Duty The years in which the couple ruled over Parma were marked by the Plague in 1630. There also was a huge contrast between the Splendor of the court and the way their subjects lived. A raise in Tax Income was used to improve Odoardo 's army. The Duke also had a pro-French policy, therefore he made an alliance with ...

OTD April 25th - Anzac Day

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On April 25th. Anzac Day takes place in Australia and New Zealand. Why Anzac Day takes place?  This day commemorates all soldiers of Australia and New Zealand who served and died in all wars, conflicts and Peacekeeping operations. What does Anzac mean? Anzac stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. What is the history behind Anzac ? During World War I Australia and New Zealand were placed on the side of the Commonwealth. In 1915 the soldiers formed a part of an expedition with as main objective the capture of Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire (now is it the city of Istanbul, located in Turkey). The soldiers arrived in Gallipoli on April 25th.  and they had to deal with a huge resistance of the Ottoman defenders. The campaign got stocked for eight months. At the end of 1915 all the allied forces were evacuated from the peninsula of Gallipoli. So sadly Gallipoli had a lot of impact in Australia and New Zealand. That's ...

Historical Hotels - Hilton London Paddington

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On June 9th. 1854 the Great Western Royal Hotel was opened by Albert, Prince Consort of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. This building wanted 'to rival the facilities of the great hotels on the continent'. Hilton London Paddington - own picture - taken in 2016 Owners The early owners of the hotel were the Great Western Railway Company and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who became the first manager from the hotel. Architect The Great Western Royal Hotel was designed by architect Philip Charles Hardwick. The building itself was built by Holland, Hannen & Cubitts. Style This Hotel was built in the Second Empire style (which was one of the earliest buildings in that style). Hilton London Paddington - own picture - taken in 2016 History Originally the Great Western Railway Company leased to the Great Western Royal Hotel Company. In the 1930's  the Railway Company took control over the Hotel. However due to the privatization of Britis...