Tag: history

The History of Kievan Rus

Kievan Rus was a medieval political federation that laid the foundation for modern-day Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. It emerged in the late 9th century and lasted until the mid-13th century, playing a crucial role in the cultural and political development of Eastern Europe.

Origins and Formation
The origins of Kievan Rus are often traced back to the Viking Oleg, who ruled Novgorod from around 879. In 882, Oleg seized Smolensk and Kiev, making the latter the capital of his new state1. This strategic location on the Dnieper River allowed for control over trade routes between Scandinavia and the Byzantine Empire. Continue reading “The History of Kievan Rus”

20 of the best movies of the 1980’s

The 1980’s eventually turned into one of the best decades ever, it was my first full decade…. Margaret Thatcher was British Prime Minister…. Ronald Reagan was American President…. Home computers started to become feasable…. VCR’s started to become common, and a deluge of some of the best movies ever made were made and released.

Here’s the ones you should make sure to have in your DVD/Blu-Ray disc collection (or via iTunes or Amazon Instant Video if you can’t wait for it)…………..

1) Crocodile Dundee (1986): The movie with Paul Hogan as Mick `Crocodile` Dundee from the Australian Outback, who then goes back to New York with a woman journalist after he showed her around the outback.

2) Ghostbusters (1984): The cult-classic comedy sci-fi about a group of university scientists who go into business catching ghosts after getting the boot from their college lab.

3) Back to the Future (1985): The cult classic movie that recently celebrated it’s 30th Anniversary, with Michael J Fox as Marty McFly, and the time travelling DeLorean.

4) Crocodile Dundee II (1988): The sequel to the original movie, where Mick goes back to the Australian outback to fight a drugs gang on his terms.

5) Stand by Me (1986): The tale of a group of boys who go on an adventure to look for a dead body.

6) Die Hard (1988): The first of the 5 Die Hard movies made so far, with Bruce Willis as Detective John McLane.

7) Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980): The 2nd of the original Star Wars movies, and now known as “Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back”.

8) Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983): The 3rd of the original Star Wars movies. and now known as “Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi”…. one of the first movies I ever had rented on video.

9) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): First of the Indiana Jones movies

10) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984): 2nd of the Indiana Jones movies.

11) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989): 3rd of the Indiana Jones movies.

12) Back to the Future Part II (1989): The sequel to Back to the Future.

13) Top Gun (1986): The cult classic movie with Tom Cruise as a US Navy Fighter Pilot.

14) Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan (1982)…….. the 2nd of the `proper` Star Trek movies

15) The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988)… the first of the 3 “Naked Gun” movies with Leslie Neilson as Detective Frank Drebin, from cult classic comedy detective show “Police Squad: In Color”.

16) Turner & Hooch (1989): Stars Tom Hanks as a Police Detective who has to take care of a Dog to find the people who murdered it’s owner.

17) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989): A Christmas adventure featuring The Griswold Family, headed by Chevy Chase as Clark W Griswold.

18) ET: The ExtraTerrestrial (1982): Another cult-classic movie from the 1980’s, made by Steven Spielberg, and of course features an Alien left behind on Earth, waiting to go home.

19) The Great Outdoors (1988): movie starring John Candy & Tom Hanks, with a pair of families going on Holiday (one of which, the in-laws, weren’t exactly invited).

20) Gremlins (1984): The movie about cute little creatures, who when fed after midnight or exposed to water turn into mischievous little creatures who cause havoc.