Political powerhouse Huey Long was a radical democrat who had no qualms about making his opinions known. Rising through political ranks in Louisiana, he began making an impact on the national stage. Long made a number of reforms during his tenure in government, many of which made him popular with the rural populace that struggled with poverty. Confident and dedicated, Long was a farm boy turned political master. Though Longs occupancy in the US government would be cut short by an assassins bullet, his legacy and legend survived.Long Earned a Law Degree in a YearLong was always an excellent speaker and used his charm to convince the state bar to allow him to take his law exams early. Source: Library of CongressHuey Long did not start out well-educated in the traditional sense. In fact, he dropped out of high school. However, he was nothing less than brilliant, with a photographic memory to boot. Long was expelled from his high school after circulating a petition campaigning against the 12th year that had recently been added as a requirement to public education. Still, he already had a scholarship to Louisiana State University, which had been a prize from a state debate competition. However, he could not take advantage of his winnings, as he could not afford the schools textbooks or room and board. He worked for a while, eventually deciding, with encouragement from his older brother Julius, to attend law school. With financial assistance from Julius, Long started at Tulane University Law School. After attending the school for only a year, Long obtained permission to take the state bar exam in 1915. He passed with flying colors and became an accredited lawyer at age 21 without a single diploma or degree to his name.From Governor to Senator to President?One of Longs gubernatorial campaign posters. Source: Library of CongressDespite his skill as a lawyer, Long was soon drawn to the political sphere. His first political position was with the Louisiana Railroad Commission, beginning in 1918. He later became chair of the Public Service Commission and first ran for governor in 1924. He didnt win, but was confident that he had what it took to try again. In 1928 he ran again, campaigning against machine politicians and the old government standards. His promises to the everyman and his excellent oration made him governor, as he won the election by the largest margin in state history.When he faced blowback from opponents regarding some law-making efforts, Long decided to run for the US Senate. He won in 1930 and planned to resign his governorship. However, he left his senate seat vacant for nine months as he worked to find an appropriate replacement for his governor seat, fearing that the wrong candidate would reverse the progress and reforms hed made in Louisiana. Eventually, his political ally Alvin King moved into the role of Lieutenant Governor, poised to take Longs position, and Long left for Washington.Flag of the United States Senate. Source: Wikimedia CommonsLongs confidence extended to his aspirations, and he believed he had the potential to take on the highest office in the land. He saw himself winning the presidency in the 1936 campaign, even writing a novel called My First Days in the White House. Unfortunately, his presidential dreams were foiled by his untimely death in 1935.Every Man a King, and One the KingfishLong speaks from behind his desk in 1935. Source: Library of CongressLong ran his campaign for governor using a campaign slogan from the writings of William Jennings Bryan: Every man a king. Emphasizing the rights of people from all levels of wealth, this slogan would continue to be a mainstay of Longs political career, including serving as the title and subject of radio addresses, songs, and speeches. Long hoped that every man, woman, and child would have easy access to the necessities of life, with a more level playing field rather than an unequal distribution of wealth. He often referenced the Declaration of Independence and its credence of certain unalienable rights for all people, as well as the idea that all men were created equal.The Kingfish character from Amos n Andy, portrayed by Tim Moore in the TV version of the show. Source: CBS Television / Wikimedia CommonsTying into his king allusions, Long earned the nickname The Kingfish, which he embraced wholeheartedly. The name originated from a character in a popular radio show from the time, Amos n Andy. Long elaborated on his moniker by explaining, Im a small fish in Washington, but Im the Kingfish to the folks down in Louisiana.Long Criticized the New DealA tired Long smiles after completing a filibuster that resulted in a presidential bill being defeated in 1935. Source: Library of CongressAlthough Long had originally supported President Franklin Delano Roosevelts early campaigns, by 1935, he was finding reasons to criticize the Presidents New Deal programs. Long found the programs enacted by the New Deal to be too conservative and wanted them to push further, leading to the development of his Share Our Wealth program. Roosevelt dismissed many of his critics, but not Long. Polls had revealed that Long was a threat to Roosevelts continuing presidency, as surveys indicated that he could pull millions of votes from the Democratic ticket.He Wanted to Share the WealthLongs signature. Source: Huey Long / Wikimedia CommonsLongs Share Our Wealth was an extensive plan designed to completely redistribute the nations economic wealth in a way that would allow for more financial equality. Revealed via a radio address in 1934, the plan was for the federal government to provide each family with a total stipend of $5,000 annually. This figure would equal the same buying power as just over $119,000 in 2024. Long believed these funds would be necessary to provide Americans with the essentials they needed for a happy and healthy life, including a home, a radio, and a car.In addition to providing these annual stipends to every American family, Long suggested other financial moves as part of his proposed programs. These included limiting private fortunes to fifty million dollars, reducing inheritances to no more than five million, and preventing annual incomes exceeding a million dollars. The program plans also included free higher education and job training and a shortened work week with more vacation time for employees.Longs measures led to comparisons to Lenin, seen here in 1920. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThough Long believed the plan would boost his chances of achieving the presidency, critics were quick to deride his plan. It was considered socialist or communist, with some comparing him to Marx, Lenin, and Trotsky. Though Long argued that wealth disparity was the key reason for the Great Depression and that more equality would allow for economic improvement, economists criticized his plan. Government agencies were soon investigating Long. The president and other political powerhouses were convinced that Longs personal finances were suspicious and didnt align with his calls for action. However, the plan gained momentum with the general public, and his popularity grew rapidly. Still, with Longs assassination the following year, the Share Our Wealth movement broke down and faded quickly.Long Wrote an Autobiography at the Ripe Old Age of 39A statue of Long at his burial site in Baton Rouge, LA. Source: Paul Lowry on FlickrWhile many influential figures choose to write their autobiographies in their twilight years, after they have completed many goals and accomplishments, Huey Long published his tome, Every Man a King, in 1933, when he was only 39 years of age. It would prove prophetic though, as Long would live only two more years. The book was written just after he assumed his senate seat and highlights his early career accomplishments in Louisiana.He Was Assassinated, But There is ControversyA painting by John McCrady, featured in Life Magazine, illustrated the assassination of Long. Source: John McCrady / NY TimesAs an outspoken and often brash public figure, Huey Long naturally received many threats over his career, some even referencing his murder. As a result, he had a formidable personal security detail that included armed bodyguards. In July 1935, he announced that his team had uncovered an assassination plot that involved four Louisiana congressmen, two former governors, and a mayor. It wouldnt be the only alleged plot against him.On September 8th of that year, Huey was killed in the state capitol. He was leaving a session of the legislature, which included a bill that would push Judge Benjamin Pavy out of a job due to redistricting. Longs alleged shooter was Dr. Carl Weiss, Judge Pavys son-in-law, who approached him in the hallway and, at close range, shot him in the abdomen. Weiss was instantly killed by Longs bodyguards, but Long clung to life for two more days, passing away on September 10th, 1935. His final words were, God, dont let me die. I have so much to do.Dr. Carl Weiss. Source: World Wide Photos via NY TimesFollowing the death and continuing to the modern era, there has been speculation around the assassination. Some argue that instead of intending to assassinate the senator, Weiss had approached Long to discuss the issue of his father-in-laws job. When the argument grew heated, a bodyguard drew his weapon at Weiss, but accidentally hit Long instead. Support for this theory has been issued by Weiss colleagues, who said that Weiss had discussed surgeries for the following day as if he planned to be at work. The final encounter was also the third time that Weiss had spoken to Long that night, so the question remains of why he would pass up the first two opportunities to kill his mark if that was his plan. No investigation followed the shooting, nor was an autopsy completed on Long, so there is little existing hard evidence to support the true story of the shooting, whatever it might be.His Son Followed in His FootstepsSenator Russell B. Long in 1982. Source: Library of CongressHuey Long and his wife, Rose, had three children: a daughter, also named Rose, and two sons, Russell and Palmer. Russell would also become a senator, like both of his parents (Rose briefly served after Hueys assassination). Russell entered office in 1948 and was in the Senate for almost 40 years, choosing not to seek re-election in 1985. He was popular with constituents, and in 1885, he even met Carl Weisss son, Carl Weiss Jr, who had never met his father. Both shared that they harbored no ill will toward one another.

The Japanese Colonial Period (1910-1945) saw the development of Modern Art in Korea according to Western standards, placing importance on European techniques and styles, such as oil painting. Moving beyond the traditional, Korean art made during this time reflects the great changes experienced within Korean society. This period of forced modernization brought shifts that caused Korea to grapple with its cultural identity. The outcome was art that both embraced and resisted the influence of the colonial oppressors.The Historical Context: Japanese Colonization of KoreaSoldiers from the Uny attacking the Yeongjong castle on a Korean island, 1876. Source: Wikimedia CommonsJapan annexed Korea in 1910, ending the centuries-long Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and drastically transforming the Korean way of life. The Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905 made Korea a protectorate of Japan, depriving it of its sovereignty. A Japanese governor-general was appointed, superseding the emperors rule.The priority of the colonial powers was to strip Korea of its national identity, so policies of censorship, surveillance, and repression were implemented. Assimilation was the central goal of the government. For example, Japanese was the official language, and speaking Korean was discouraged. Japanese history was taught in schools and many sites of cultural heritage were destroyed.It is important to note that despite suppression, independence movements still existed. The March 1st Movement is a major example, which saw widespread peaceful protests in 1919. The government brutally suppressed the protests, killing and arresting many of those involved.Assimilation Through Arts EducationSelf-Portrait, by Go Hui-Dong, 1915. Source: Wiley Online LibraryDue to the push for assimilation, Korean artists were expected to study art in a similar way to their Japanese colonizers. Japanese culture was also prioritized and promoted. For these reasons, Korean art students were sent to Japan to study, particularly at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. The increased control of Japan in the 1930s and 1940s meant that art was progressively used as propaganda to promote the Japanese Empire.At the time, Japans priority was to Westernize many aspects of its identity, including the arts. For this reason, Western painting was taught in Japanese art schools, with artists assimilating Western styles and techniques. Art was categorized as Western versus Oriental, oil or ink. Japanese students were sent to Europe to study painting, returning ready to pass their new methods on to younger students.Despite the prevalence of Western painting, nihonga, or Japanese painting, emerged in Japan to challenge its hegemony. Nihonga is categorized by its use of traditional Japanese materials such as ink and brushes. It emphasizes simplicity and the natural world. Korean artists also used this technique due to the Japanese influence on the peninsula.The Female NudeSunset, by Kim Kwan-Ho, 1916. Source: Google Arts & CultureThe study of Western art inevitably meant that artists encountered and painted the female nude, something rarely depicted in Korean art in the past. The Tokyo School of Fine Arts, for example, promoted the French academic style, which involved the study of the female form. In Japan, there was seen to be no differentiation between the artistic nude and the naked body, and the former was thus perceived as immoral and vulgar.There was a similar sentiment in Korea, too. This could be attributed to the dominance of Confucian values, which emphasized social order. Confucian ethics perceive public displays of nudity as inappropriate and immoral. The social order of society placed emphasis on modesty. Also, as it was a part of Japans colonial agenda to transform Korean culture through the imposition of Western elements, Koreans were resistant.Due to local perceptions of the female nude, upon their return from their studies in Japan, Korean artists who painted it were met with rejection. Ko Hui-Dong (1886-1965), for example, adopted Western styles in his art following his studies at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. Upon his return to Korea, he was mostly rejected by Koreans and struggled during his early career. The struggles of Ko and artists similar to him highlight the tension between the modern and the traditional in Korea during the Japanese Colonial Period.Rebellion Through AestheticsA Big Family, Pai Un Soung, 1930-1935. Source: Los Angeles Country Museum of ArtDespite Japanese dominance and its influence on painting styles, Korean artists found ways to rebel to maintain their cultural heritage as a form of subtle resistance. Some represented everyday scenes, while others utilized calligraphy and traditional painting techniques. Sometimes artists blended Korean motifs with Japanese elements.Furthermore, Korean motifs were added to works as expressions of nationalism. The magpie is often used in Korean folk art as a symbol of good fortune and happiness. When depicted alongside other animals such as the tiger, it represents harmony and the balance of power. Some artists blended traditional Korean and Western elements to hint at their nationalistic sentiments.Art schools and exhibitions were also established in Korea, which encouraged the development of modern Korean art. The first established in 1922, was the Gyeongseong School of Fine Arts, which educated students in both traditional Korean and Western art styles. The highly influential Joseon Art Exhibition also played a significant role in the development of Korean art. This government-sponsored exhibition provided a platform for artists to display their work during this time.The Rise of Women ArtistsDancer, by Na Hye-Sok, 1940. Source: Google Arts & CultureThe Japanese Colonial Period also saw an increase in women artists. These artists broke through the cultural barriers of a mostly conservative and male-dominated society, advocating for more opportunities for women in the arts. They also laid the groundwork for future generations of female artists in Korea.Na Hye-Sok, for example, is considered one of Koreas first female, and Western-style, painters. Studying at Tokyo Womens Art School, she majored in Western-style painting. During her time in Japan, she also joined the feminist movement and continued to pursue this activism upon her return to Korea, often writing and giving lectures on the topic. She exhibited frequently and received much praise for her work. She also received prizes at the Joseon Art Exhibition and in 1921 was the first woman to hold a solo exhibition in Korea.Another significant female artist is Park Re-Hyun. Parks work evolved from traditional ink painting into more abstract forms and she was able to merge both Oriental and Western styles of painting. She also exhibited at the Joseon Art Exhibition, debuting there in 1943.Impact of the Colonial Period on Korean ArtMiindo, by Kim Eun-Ho, 1935. Source: ModernismmodernityFirstly, and most significantly, despite censorship, Korean artists were able to preserve a Korean cultural identity during this time. Though the Japanese colonial government practiced policies of assimilation, they often stayed true to Korean art forms through either a connection to folk art, traditional symbolism, or technique.That said, Korean artistic identity certainly did not leave the Colonial Period unscathed by the power exerted by the Japanese. Western artistic styles were introduced and integrated into the art world. The exposure to Western art through Japan influenced artistic practice, including the role of the nude subject, sparking controversy. Despite this, artists continued to be influenced by Western art, with many blending traditional styles to create hybrid works. Western art has continued to influence Korean art until today.The art of the Japanese Colonial Period in Korea has left a legacy that continues to shape Korean artistic expression. It was a period of transition and resistance that provided the foundation for modern Korean art. The works from this era represent the cultural and historical struggles of the time and continue to be relevant in Korea.

Not confined to the medieval history of Europe, massive stone fortifications were also a common sight throughout the Middle East. Many of these castles still stand, their impenetrable stone walls having withstood centuries of war and strife.Some, however, have crumbled to rubble but still retain their fame.Here are 8 of the most famous castles in the Middle East.1. Krak des Chevaliers: A Hospitaller FortressKrak des Chevaliers. Source: Wikimedia CommonsLocated in Talkalakh District, in the west of Syria, Krak des Chevaliers stands as an imposing and well-preserved example of a medieval concentric castle. The site was host to a Muslim stronghold before being turned over to Crusaders in 1142. For the next three decades, a massive castle was built.The huge project was undertaken by the Knights of St. John (also known as the Hospitallers), who used the castle as a major base of operations. Another era of expansion saw the castle reach almost 1,000 feet at its longest point and 450 feet at its widest.After a siege of 36 days, the castle was captured by the Mamluk Sultanate in 1271.More recently, the civil war in Syria has threatened many of the countrys famous landmarks. The fortress was taken by rebels in the early stages of the war but was recaptured by government forces in 2014. Since then, restoration work has taken place to restore the damage.Krak des Chevaliers was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.2. Arg-e Bam: An Ancient Citadel in IranArg-e Bam in Iran. Source: Store Norske LeksikonLocated in the city of Bam in southeastern Iran, Arg-e Bam is a massive fortress that dominates the skyline of the town of Bam in Kerman Province. There is no precise date as to when the citadel was first built, but the town dates back to the 6th to 4th centuries BCE. The fortress was greatly expanded during the time of the Parthian Empire (247 BCE to 224 CE).Expansion continued under the Sassanids, and in the 7th century, it was conquered by Muslim Arabs. Over the centuries that followed, the citadel changed hands many times, from the Mongols to the Safavid and Qajar dynasties of Iran.The citadel was used for military purposes until 1932, when it was abandoned. In the decades that followed, the sites historic importance was recognized, and restoration work was undertaken.Arg-e Bam in 2022. Source: Wikimedia CommonsOne of its claims to fame is that it is the largest adobe building in the world. This was certainly true before 2003 when disaster struck, and an earthquake turned most of the structure to rubble. Reconstruction is ongoing, but the vast majority of the site has been rebuilt.The unique architectural style and historical significance of Arg-e Bam have led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the citadel attracts a major tourist audience.3. Bahla Fort: A Mud Brick Icon in OmanBahla Fort in Oman. Source: Wikimedia CommonsDeclared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Bahla Fort is situated at the foot of the Jebel Akhdar highlands in northern Oman. The castle was built by the Banu Nebhan tribe between the 12th and 15th centuries, and it played a vital role in helping the tribe control the frankincense trade in the area.Built of bricks made of mud and straw, the building has been subjected to erosion over the centuries. In 1995, preservation efforts were deemed a renovation rather than a restoration, as they used modern materials, and parts of the original wall can no longer be seen.Nevertheless, the site is impressive and open to visitors who wish to explore this part of Omans rich history.4. Citadel of Aleppo: A Symbol of EnduranceAleppo Citadel. Source: Wikimedia CommonsSyria has seen its fair share of war, and the Citadel of Aleppo bore the pockmarked faade of a building subjected to modern warfare. The building was further struck in 2023 when a major earthquake delivered extensive damage to the historic site.The citadels history is incredibly long, with the site originally being used in the 3rd millennium BCE. Throughout the course of its ancient history, it was ruled over as part of the city-state of Yamhad before its incorporation into the Neo-Hittite Empire, then the Neo-Assyrian Empire, the Neo-Babylonian Empire, and the Achaemenid Empire before becoming part of the empire of Alexander the Great. Since then, it has been ruled over by Armenians, Romans, Byzantines, Ayyubids, Mamluks, and Ottomans. Most of the citadel, as it appears today, was the result of Ayyubid construction work.The distinctive bridge that leads into the Aleppo Citadel. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe citadel was damaged during the Battle of Aleppo during the Syrian Civil War. After the city was secured by government forces, restoration work began, and the site was reopened to the public in 2018. Some of the damage caused by modern warfare has been preserved to display the citadels full history.5. Uhisar: A Castle Carved Out of RockUhisar Castle in Turkey. Source: Wikimedia CommonsCappadocia is a region in Turkey well-known for its unique rock formations. Throughout the regions history, many of these rocks have been carved out and turned into homes.Uhisar Castle was created in the same fashion. Some have called its faade ugly, but it served its purpose and was created in the same style as the carved-out buildings symbolic of the region.The castle saw major use during Byzantine times, and it is estimated that as many as one thousand people lived in the maze of rooms carved out of the 200-foot-high outcrop. Like the village surrounding it, the faades blended in with the scenery and provided excellent camouflage for defensive purposes.Today, the castle is no longer inhabited but is open to the public. Uhisar has become a tourist attraction, and tourism has become the main industry in the village.6. Shaharah Castle: An Isolated Medieval Stronghold in YemenShaharah Bridge. Source: Wikimedia CommonsShaharah is a large but very secluded fortified village situated high in the mountains, over 8,000 feet above sea level. With only one point of entrance and surrounded by ravines and gorges, it is difficult to get to.It is a village fortress that could also be considered a castle in its own right and has been used as such for over a thousand years. Its near impregnable position was tested many times in the wars between the Yemeni and the Ottomans in the 16th and 17th centuries. Many attempts were made by the Ottomans to capture Shaharah, and they succeeded once (in 1587). It later returned to Yemeni hands, and the last Ottoman attempt to capture it was in 1905, which resulted in failure.One of the most spectacular parts of the fortification is a stone bridge built in the 17th century. The bridge spans a narrow gorge of sheer cliffs and has become a famous tourist spot in recent decades.7. Kerak Castle: A Monumental Crusader CastleKerak Castle in Jordan. Source: Wikimedia CommonsOne of the largest and most spectacular castles in the Levant, Kerak Castle is situated in western Jordan, 14 miles southeast of the Dead Sea. The castle, which began construction in the 1140s under the orders of Pagan the Butler, was a key point for Crusader control in the area. From its powerful location, control over the trade routes to and from Damascus, Mecca, and Egypt was attained.Pagan the Butlers successors continued work on the castle, expanding it by adding towers, ditches, and walls. In 1183, it was besieged by Saladin, but it stood firm and was relieved by forces of King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem.Saladin besieged the castle a year later and again was defeated, but in 1188, his nephew Sad Al-Din successfully besieged Kerak and defeated the crusaders, thus ushering in the era during which Kerak was under Ayyubid control.Through the following centuries, the castles defenses were expanded even further, and Ayyubid control passed to the Mamluks and then the Ottomans.Despite not being declared a World Heritage Site, the castle is still impressive and garners widespread attention from tourists. In 2016, it was the site of a terrorist attack that left 14 dead, most of them Jordanian security.8. Ghumdan Palace: The Worlds First Skyscraper?The Old City section of Sanaa where Ghumdan Palace once stood. Source: Bayt Al FannNot much is left of Ghumdan Palace in the Old City of Sanaa in western Yemen, and little is known about how the palace looked in its heyday in ancient times. Ghumdan Palace is, however, known to be the oldest castle in the Middle East.The castle has legendary beginnings, with its first stones said to have been laid by Shem, the son of Noah. There are many claims on when the castle was finished, ranging from the 8th century BCE to around the 2nd century CE.It was destroyed in the 7th century on the orders of Caliph Uthman, who feared the castle could be used by rebellious factions. It was restored and reconstructed in the centuries that followed, but the castle has since crumbled to ruins.Filled with marble and alabaster, the structure was grandiose during its time, although historic accounts tend to exaggerate its size, claiming it was as tall as nine stories. Today, all that remains is a mound where the structure once stood.View from the walls of Krak des Chevaliers. Source: Wikimedia CommonsHaving served as the Cradle of Civilization, and having experienced its own medieval era, full of armed soldiers, palaces, and kings, the Middle East is full of castles that hold untold reams of history.While some are now nothing more than piles of windswept rubble, some of the Middle Easts castles still stand, resplendent in their glory.

If you're a fan of horror games and movies (like me), we have some good news: one of the most iconic horror franchises of the '80s is poised to make a comeback, not just in films, but also in video games.

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Chaque semaine, je vous propose dans ce format la compilation des infos les plus brlantes de la semaine passe. Aujourdhui on sattelle dcortiquer la Larticle [ News ] Lactu de la semaine Du 21 au 27 juillet...

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Trump administrations move would undercut decades of climate regulation, but faces legal hurdles and uncertain market impact. By yourNEWS Media Newsroom WASHINGTON The Environmental Protection

President Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meet in Scotland on Sunday to attempt a breakthrough in trade talks ahead of Trumps Aug. 1 tariff deadline. By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Vice President Vance leads key Democratic hopefuls in new Emerson College poll, with Harris absent from lineup amid speculation she may pursue California governorship. By yourNEWS Media Newsroom Vice