MikaP

Mozambique, known for its stunning coastline and growing tourism industry, has seen a steady flow of visitors from South Africa and beyond in recent years. In 2012, tourism contributed 6% of the country’s economy, with just over two million travelers enjoying its pristine beaches and vibrant culture. However, recent attacks by Renamo, an opposition group with roots in the country’s Civil War, have sparked concerns over safety, causing some tourists to reconsider their plans.

In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made a bold and controversial decision to move Thanksgiving up by a week, from the last Thursday in November to the second-to-last.

A group of British tourists have recently traveled to visit the embalmed body of Kim Jong-il.  They are not alone as thousands of tourists will go out of their way to view, gawk or satisfy their curiosity to view famous cadavers around the world.

On this day, the world welcomed Mary Wollstonecraft (Godwin) Shelley, born in London, England. Better known as Mary Shelley, she was an English novelist, short story writer, and dramatist. She is most famous for her novel "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus," which she wrote when she was just 18 years old. The novel, published in 1818, is considered one of the earliest examples of science fiction and remains a classic of Gothic literature.

In 1864, the Swiss government, driven by a humanitarian vision, extended an invitation to the governments of Europe and the United States to participate in a diplomatic conference in Geneva. This historic gathering was convened against the backdrop of increasing concern over the horrors and brutalities of war, particularly the suffering of wounded soldiers who were often left unattended on battlefields. On August 22, 1864, this assembly of nations reached a groundbreaking agreement that would forever change the conduct of warfare: the adoption of the first Geneva Convention, officially titled "Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field."

On August 15, 1248, the cornerstone of the Cologne Cathedral, or Kölner Dom as it is known in German, was ceremoniously laid, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most ambitious and enduring architectural projects in European history. The cathedral's construction, spanning over 600 years, was driven by a deeply religious purpose: to create a grand home for the relics of the Three Kings (the Magi), which had come into the possession of the Archbishop of Cologne. These relics, believed to be the bones of the biblical magi, were of immense religious significance, attracting pilgrims from across Europe and elevating Cologne to a major religious center.

A long standing tradition in Spain is the celebration of New Year's with grapes.  We're not talking about grapes that have been stomped and processed into a delicious libation.  We're referring to grapes pulled directly off the vine.