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Then and Now 1: The French Revolution

July 14 is celebrated as Bastille Day in France, marking the French Revolution. Take a look at how some historical sites look today!

The French Revolution was an important time in the history of France. It marks the period of time when the people of the country overthrew the monarchy and took control of the government.

Very little remains today of what Paris was in the 18th century, when the key events of the Revolution took place. Revisit these historical sites which had a part to play in the happenings of the Revolution and compare them with how they look today!

Move the slider from right to left to compare the ‘old’ pictures with the ‘new’.

  1. Place de la Bastille

On 14 July 1789, a mob of revolutionaries attacked a prison called the Bastille. The combat resulted in the fortress falling and being taken by the mob. Today, nothing remains of the old fortress. The July Column stands at the center of the square. The square is a bustling area, and is home to concerts and other events.

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  1. The Tuileries Palace

At the time of the French Revolution, the Tuileries Palace was used to hold the royal family under surveillance. The palace was destroyed later. The gardens of the palace are all that remain today.

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  1. La Conciergerie

La Conciergerie is a royal palace that was used as a prison during the French Revolution. Queen Marie Antoinette was taken here and separated from her children. Many portions of the palace are still used today for official purposes.

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  1. Place de la Concorde

It was in this square that the guillotine was erected. The guillotine was an instrument that was used to behead people, and it was became symbolic of the French Revolution. It was at this site that King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette and many other important figures were executed, often in front of cheering crowds. Today, this square is marked with a huge Egyptian obelisk (a stone pillar).

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  1. Basilica of St Denis

This Basilica is the burial place of French kings. During the French Revolution, the abbey, a symbol of the royals, was completely demolished and only the church was left standing. It was restored later. The Basilica used to have two towers, until the left tower was struck by lightning and had to be removed.

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It’s Elementary! – 2

Learn interesting facts about some of the elements from the periodic table.

Did you know these interesting facts about some of the elements from the periodic table?

Click on 'turn' to find out more about each fact and click on the arrow to move on to the next fact.

The chemical elements Erbium (68 Er), Terbium (65 Tb), Ytterbium (70 Yb), and Yttrium (39 Y)...
The element Lithium was discovered by Johan August Arfvedson and its name is derived from...
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Globescan – July 14, 2017

Here’s your fix of news from the week gone by! Make sure your stay updated and aware.

Click on the hotspots to read the latest news from around the world!

Identify the Musician – 3

Unravel the images to identify these iconic musicians who redefined the music we know today!

These legendary musicians are considered to have had a major impact in the world of music. Can you unravel the following images to correctly identify them? Don’t forget to read on to find out more about these personalities.

1. The Beatles:

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The band had four members – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential act of the rock era. They are one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music.

2. Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley was an American singer-songwriter and actor. He is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, and is often referred to as the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ or simply ‘the King’.

3. Bob Marley

Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer-songwriter, musician and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim, blending mostly reggae, ska and rocksteady (genres of music) in his compositions. The release of his first album ‘Exodus’ established his status as one of the best-selling artists of all time.

4. Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix, was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, 1966 to 1970, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music. The impact he made during his time is still in effect today.

Young Chef 18 – Pasta Aglio E Olio

Try this easy recipe to make a tasty pasta that will leave you wanting more when you’re done!

Are you hungry and in need of a quick and easy meal? Here is an easy recipe to make a yummy meal!

Click on the hotspots to read the instructions. Make sure to use equipment in the presence of an adult!

Sports Kits and Gears – A

Coaching or sport practice? Here are some essentials to do just that – get suited up and go…

Once you start playing sports either in a coaching class, in a club or in an amateur practice centre, it is important to get your gear right. In this series, we will showcase kits and gear from various sports so that you are able to understand and learn about new sports, as well as know what equipment is used when you play the sport!

Let’s start with a sport which you might have seen on TV or played as a computer game, but probably not played on the ground as much – golf. Golf is one of the strictest sports with respect to dress code and gear. You need to wear proper shorts or trousers to participate in the game.

Try your hand at this memory game based on golfing items!

  • Memory Card
  • Memory Card
  • Memory Card
  • Memory Card
  • Memory Card
  • Memory Card
  • Memory Card
  • Memory Card
Good work!
Time spent
0:00
Card turns
0

Click on the hotspots to know the other gear.

Sports Kits and Gears – 1

Coaching or sport practice? Here are some essentials to do just that – get suited up and go…

Once you start playing sports either in a coaching class, in a club or in an amateur practice centre, it is important to get your gear right. In this series, we will showcase kits and gear from various sports so that you are able to understand and learn about new sports, as well as know what equipment is used when you play the sport!

Let’s start with a sport which you might have seen on TV or played as a computer game, but probably not played on the ground as much – golf. Golf is one of the strictest sports with respect to dress code and gear. You need to wear proper shorts or trousers to participate in the game. Click on the hotspots to know the other gear.

Testing Waters

Try this shuffle puzzle and discover some unbelievable water bodies that the Earth has to offer!

The Earth is filled with many natural wonders that we sometimes have to see to believe. Can you imagine a pink lake? What about a lake in a volcano? Unravel the following images to see a few of these unique water bodies.

1. Caño Cristales – Columbia

This river is commonly called the ‘River of Five Colours’ or the ‘Liquid Rainbow’, and is even referred to as one of the most beautiful rivers in the world due to its striking colours. During a brief period between September and November, this river changes from ordinary clear water to a rainbow of colour. The vivid hues of red, blue, green and orange are caused by a plant, Macarenia clavigera, blooming in the water – as well as mosses and algae.

2. Kelimutu Crater Lakes – Indonesia

Atop the Kelimutu volcano in Indonesia lie three crater lakes, each a different colour. They change their colours periodically, ranging from blue to green, red, black, and even chocolate brown or white. The three lakes have different temperatures and chemical compositions.

3. Lake Hillier – Australia

This lake is located on Middle Island, off the coast of Western Australia. It is famous for its bubblegum pink colour. The vibrant colour is permanent, and does not alter when the water is taken in a container.

4. Pamukkale Travertine Terraces – Turkey

Turquoise pools of water fill up limestone terraces, which were once deposited by flowing, mineral-rich hot springs. Also called the Cotton Castle, the Pamukkale terraces lie next to the ancient Roman city of Hieropolis. Together, the terraces and city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Grand Prismatic Spring – USA

It is located in Yellowstone National Park and is the third largest hot spring in the world. The mineral-rich pool has concentric bands of vibrant colours due to different sets of heat-loving pigmented bacteria in each band. The brilliant blue central part is extremely hot with temperatures reaching up to 87°C.

Image Credits: Caño Cristales- By Mario Carvajal – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27473132
Grand Prismatic Spring- By Clément Bardot – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27669807

Geographical Indications – 1

Have you heard of items that are found only in specific cities or states? Learn more about some of these unique products.

A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on a product to indicate that it originates from a specific geographical location (e.g. a town, region, or country). Here are a few registered GIs of products that are specific to India. Click on the hotspots and read on below to find out more.

Darjeeling Tea is a tea from the Darjeeling district in West Bengal. It is available in black, green and white. When properly brewed, it yields a thin-bodied, light-coloured infusion with a floral aroma.

Kancheepuram Silk is a type of silk saree made in the Kancheepuram region in Tamil Nadu. The sarees are weaved from pure mulberry silk thread.

Warli Painting is a style of tribal art mostly created by the Adivasis from the North Sahyadri Range in India. This tribal art originated from Maharashtra, where it is still practised today. These wall paintings use a set of basic geometric shapes: a circle, a triangle, and a square. These shapes are symbolic of different elements of nature.

Kathputli is a string puppet theatre, native to Rajasthan and is the most popular form of Indian puppetry. The puppets are string marionettes, controlled by a single string.

India Image Design: K.B. Jawaharr
Credits: Kathpuli – By Smithsonian Institution – https://www.flickr.com/photos/smithsonian/2548102789/, No restrictions, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53630678
Kanchipuram – By రహ్మానుద్దీన్ – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28903247

Movie Buff

Challenge yourself to a crossword all about movies! Are you a movie buff? Find out now!

If you love movies, challenge yourself to this crossword and see how well you do!