September 11, 2001 was not the first time an airplane crashed into a skyscraper. Actually, such tragedies are more common than is thought.
On July 28, 1945, for instance, a U.S. Army B-25 bomber traveling at 200 miles (c. 370 kilometers) per hour in heavy fog crashed into the Empire State Building in New York City. Luckily it was a Saturday, though dozens were injured and 14 killed. People thought the city was being bombed:
Doris Pope, Boynton Beach, Fla. told The Palm Beach Post in 1999:
“We heard this terrible noise, and the building started to shake. … As we looked out our third-floor window, we saw debris fall on to the street. We immediately thought New York was being bombed.”
Another eyewitness, Helen J. Hurwitt, from Greenacres, Fla., told the Post:
“I heard a horrendous noise. My husband and I were in a building directly opposite the Empire State Building. … Large plate-glass windows looked out onto 34th Street. The floor we were on was pretty high. At some point, we heard a horrendous noise and rushed to the windows. … We were horrified to see a B-25 half in and half out of the Empire State Building.”
“The building shuddered, realigned itself, and settled. Probably instantly, although several witnesses said there seemed to be a moment’s interval, came the explosion, and the top of the fog-shrouded Empire State Building was briefly seen in a bright orange glow. High-octane airplane fuel spewed out of the ruptured tanks and sprayed the building…The heat was so intense that partition frames within offices disappeared, and the shattered glass from windows and lamp fixtures melted and fused into stalactites….One engine, part of the fuselage, and a landing gear tore through the internal office walls, through two fire walls and across a stairway, through another office wall and out of the south wall of the building, with the parts coming to a fiery rest at 10 West Thirty-Third Street in the penthouse studio/apartment of sculptor Henry Hering, who was off playing golf in Scarsdale at the time”
John Tauranac, The Making of a Landmark, New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 1997, (originally printed in hardcover by Scribner, 1995)
One of the massive aircraft’s engine crossed the entire skyscraper, from north wall to south wall, and landed on the roof of another building nearby. The damage was estimated at $1 million (that’s 1945 dollars). It took 3 months to repair the 78th and 79th floors.
But the September atrocities provoked a wave of copycats and renewed awareness of such risks.
On April 18, 2002 a small airplane ran into the 26th floor of Milan’s tallest building, the Pirelli Tower. Three people were killed, dozens injured and the building was severely damaged.
On January 5, 2002, a 15-year old deliberately crashed a small, single engine, craft into the 28th floor of the Bank of America Plaza in Tampa, Florida. The pilot dies. There were no other casualties.
At the beginning of May 2002, an Indian air force jet hit crashed into a bank building in northwestern India. Eight died in the ensuing fire.
Sam Vaknin ( samvak.tripod.com ) is the author of Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited and After the Rain - How the West Lost the East. He served as a columnist for Global Politician, Central Europe Review, PopMatters, Bellaonline, and eBookWeb, a United Press International (UPI) Senior Business Correspondent, and the editor of mental health and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory and Suite101.
Until recently, he served as the Economic Advisor to the Government of Macedonia.
Visit Sam’s Web site at samvak.tripod.com
In medieval times each family designed a family crest with a huge sense of pride. It is called the crest because it was originally displayed on top of a helmet, like a crest on the top of a bird’s head. Clans were loyally united as a means of survival. The family crest was also displayed on a shield or flag, serving a vital purpose. When a family was confronted with battle, it was hard to recognize their own members due to the armor each combatant adorned. The family crest was displayed clearly on their shields, while it waved on their flags. This was essential for the family to work together in claiming victory.
A complete coat of arms includes different elements. The family crest and the family shield only make up part of the completed piece. Most family coat of arms depict a picture of an animal, with the crest having hats, plumes, flowers, horns or elephant trunks. This was helpful, as many could not read and the picture was recognizable to them. As an honor to thy family, the people who are accountable for your being; these completed works of art are displayed in an array of fashion. You will notice them on rings, belts and badges; as well as secured to the front doors of homes. Not to forget, on the cover of binders which contain the complete family history.
In an effort to fully understand themselves, people have their family crests drawn and find it as a marvelous instrument. It is a mistaken belief that if two people meet and have the same last name, they will have the same family crest. This spawns the importance of discovering your own family crest, and in doing so you will learn your ancestral achievements. This rapid growing trend has been the deliverer of peace to thousands. Family crests are popping up at occasions like weddings, in admiration of their heritage and to unite the two families.
In finding your family crest, it is a great start to learn where your ancestors originated from and any nationalities of which you are associated. Talk with other family members to gather any names in your family tree that you may not be aware of. Any bit of knowledge acquired from an older person is an immense help. Years ago, the next step would have been to go into the library and start pouring over information. The library is still an exceptional choice in tracking down your family crest, but the beauty of this challenge is the internet. There are a zillion web sites for the purpose of helping you. A good practice is to get information from the web, and then go to the library for verification. Working with other family members in finding the family crest has been proven to be quality time spent with loved ones.
The Oldest Tattoo Studio in Greece
The trendy district of Plaka in Athens is thriving with restaurants, souvenir shops and cafes, and jewellery stores. It has the perfect balance of tourist flare with an authentic Athens vibe. If you’re into archaeology or historical monuments, Plaka is the perfect destination. It’s also a good place to go to get a tattoo. Stop and visit the brother sister tattoo artists, Paula and Anna Mamatsis at the oldest tattoo shop in Greece, Jimmy’s Custom Tattoo.
The Tattoo Studio is located at 13 Kyristou Street, on gorgeous Acropolis Hill. It was opened in 1977 by Paul and Anna’s father Jimmy, who is now a legend in the area. Jimmy travelled the sea in the 1950’s and 1960’s, spending some time in Bombay where he first found a love for tattoos. “It was a hand tapped job of a Native American chief and cost six rupees,” he says. “But damn if it didn’t look good. I couldn’t wait to get another!” He skipped to Toronto and spent some time in Canada and New York City where he worked as a greenhorn tattoo artist. He returned to Athens in the late 60’s and began tattooing out of his home in 1973. It was a risky move considering tattooing was an illegal profession in Greece at this time. But Jimmy fought the law and the government finally licensed his tattoo shop in 1982. It was the first studio in Greece to operate legally.
Jimmy’s is the only tattoo shop in Plaka. According to Paul there are about 30 other studios around town and probably 50 home studios. Paul has been tattooing since 1980 and enjoys the life long connection to art that tattoos provide. “I’ve always been attracted to the beauty, the passion, and the spiritual energy of tattooing, and when it all comes together you express life through artistic creativity on other people’s skin. For me, tattooing is one of the most respectful professions I can think of. It’s an experience in life.”
Paul and his sister Anna have tattooed a variety of clients ranging from Greek models, football players, tourists, accountants, lawyers and doctors. Since Jimmy is legendary in Greece, people come to the shop first to check it out. Jimmy’s is open 7am to 10pm, Monday through Saturday and by appointment on Sundays.