US Culture of the 1950s

The '50s were an eventful decade in American cultural history.

Arts
African American artists like Romare Bearden and Henry Clay Anderson presented a different view of American life. Abstract expressionism was the first American art movement to gain worldwide influence. Its proponents included Barnett Newman, Franz Kline and Clyfford Still. Figurative art returned.

Literature
Published works included ‘The Wall’ by John Hershey, ‘East of Eden’ by John Steinbeck, ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ by J.D.Salinger and ‘The Naked Lunch’ by Williams Burroughs. Beatniks and the beat generation reached their peak in the '50s.

Television
Sales of television sets increased dramatically in the '50s. Watching television became a national pastime. It became more popular than radio. Advertising increased manifold. Broadcasts that were earlier in black and white, later moved on to color. TV influenced people on a massive scale. The popular television shows for kids were ‘Mickey Mouse Club’, ‘Walt Disney’, ‘Lassie and ‘Howdy Doody Time’. The popular comedy shows were ‘The Families of the Fifties’, ‘I Love Lucy’ and ‘The Honeymooners’. The popular drama shows were ‘Private Everywhere’, ‘Superman’, ‘The Twilight Zone’ and ‘The Dragnet’. ‘American Bandstand’ hosted by Dick Clark was one of the popular shows for teenagers. Sitcoms were introduced in the '50s. News broadcasting changed from newsreaders simply reading the news to videos of news events. Live broadcasting became more common. There were Quiz shows like ‘What’s My Line’ and ‘The Price is Right’. There were prominent newscasters like CBS’s Walter Cronkite and NBC’s David Brinkley and Chet Huntley. For the first time the Miss America Pageant was televised.

Films
The first 3-D movie 'Bwana Devil' was released starring Robert Stack. The famous movie stars of the '50s were Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne and Bing Crosby. The movie ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ was extremely popular and well received. The Walt Disney Studios had a widespread success with animated films like ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Lady and the Tramp’, ‘Peter Pan’, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Cinderella. ‘All About Eve’ was released. James Dean, movie star of ‘Rebel without a Cause’ was killed while driving his car at high speed. Classics like ‘Ben-Hur’, ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Hercules’ and ‘The Ten Commandments’ were released. Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ was released. Many movies were released with the Cold war as a backdrop or were based on science fiction.

Music
Rock ‘n' Roll was introduced. It was regarded as a threat to the character of America’s youth. Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed coined the term ‘Rock ‘n' Roll’. Western and Country music were also popular. Popular artists and groups were Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and the Comets, Doris Day and Dean Martin. Some of the popular songs of the '50s were ‘Heartbreak Hotel’, ‘I Saw Mommy Kissin’ Santa Claus’, ‘Mr Sandman’, ‘Its All in the Game’, ‘Kisses Sweeter Than Wine’, ‘Doggie in the Window’ and ‘My Happiness’. Elvis Presley was the musical superstar of the 50’s. It is claimed that Elvis bought the races together with his popularizing of ‘black’ music. With the introduction of new gadgets such as portable tape recorders, music could be heard in any location. Three rock and roll stars ‘Big Bopper’ Richardson, Ritchie Valens and Buddy Holly died in a plane crash. Crooners like Perry Como and Dinah shore were popular. The music of the '50s is still played today.

Drama and Theatre
Popular plays were ‘Come Back Little Sheeba’, ‘The King and I’, ‘Waiting for Godot’, ‘The Crucible’ and ‘the Bad Seed’. The ‘Cat on a hot Tin Roof’ won the Pulitzer Prize.
‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ was one of the most emotionally charged plays of the '50s. Alvin Ailey created the American Dance Theatre.

Fashion
The fashion was conservative in the fifties. Ponytails were popular among girls and crew cuts for guys. Bermuda shorts became popular. The Marlon Brando movie ‘The Wild One’ made T-shirts and black leather motorcycle jackets popular. Women’s skirts and hair became shorter. Marilyn Monroe made tight, v-neck sweaters popular. Pantyhose were introduced in the American market.

The '50s saw an emergence of several new trends. It was indeed a novel and exciting time for American culture. Some of its facets still exist in modern society.

Worst Cities in America

Factors like unemployment, poverty, and crime are inevitable in American cities with large populations. However, there are some cities which do have a substantial crime rate and unemployment levels, making them America's most dangerous cities. The worst cities in America to live are generally sorted out according to factors such as the crime rate, unemployment, population, traffic, and poverty level. In the following, you will go through a list of few worst cities in America.

List of Worst Cities in America

Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is a city in Michigan, believed to be an automotive center of the country. However, owing to the crime rates, it is considered one of the worst crime cities in America. Adding to the crime rates, unemployment in Detroit is reported to be about 14.3%, and even worse comes the poverty rate at around 26%. Other aspects to consider are freezing temperatures and toxic waste dumps.

Cleveland, Ohio
Though Cleveland is well known for sports and tourism, it is a city with a significant amount of poverty rate. Its poverty rate is considered to be approximately 26.3%, which is about 113% more than the national median poverty rate. Besides, the average per annum earning of a household is only $30,076. This city is also infamous for air pollution levels which are much higher than the national average.

Stockton, California
This is one of the cities in the US which was hard hit by the recently faced economic recession. Its real estate rates have declined sharply and the unemployment rates are also believed to be near 16%. Surprising, the earning per capita is only about $19,500 per year. More to this, the crime rates are also thought of being very high. One reason is because the police officers to resident rates is only 2.2 law enforcement officers for every 1000 residents.

Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is one of the worst cities in America due to a bad weather and also a very high cost of living. The worst part of living in Anchorage is the overall climate which is extremely cold and that too for a really long time. In addition to this bad weather, even the most basic necessities like groceries and food are quite high in cost. This is probably due to the city's remote location and the lack of food storage facilities in extreme winters.

Buffalo, New York
This is one of the poorest cities in the USA, with around 29% of residents living under the poverty line. The average earnings of a household in the city is reported to be about $28,000 per annum. This city is also facing the problem of vacant and abandoned properties per capita. The city is not preferred to live in during winters due to a snowy climate. Due to the rising crime considering poverty, this is one most dangerous city in the United States.

Newark, New Jersey
Newark is also considered one of the worst cities in America. Firstly, the literacy rate in the city is very low; with only about 58% of people completed high school, and just 9% holding a bachelor's degree. Around 28.5% of residents live below the poverty line, with the median income per capita being only about $16,000 and for a household only around $33,500. It also has a bad reputation for an increasing crime rate.

These are some of the worst cities in America; considering primarily the crime rate, employment and median income. Baltimore, Maryland is also one of the most dangerous cities in America due to the drug abuse and crime rate being very high. If you are thinking of the worst traffic cities in America, Riverside in California is one with a high traffic congestion. There are many other cities which are not chosen by people to live in such as Santa Ana and Oakland in California, and Toledo in Ohio.

Highest Crime Rate Cities in US

When we think about the United States of America, there are many things that cross our minds, a few of them being clean and beautiful cities, disciplined infrastructure, glamor, and a world full of opportunities. But just like two sides of a coin, there is evil hiding on every corner of these busy streets as well, in the form of crime. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there is an annual statistics which is conducted to measure the rate of crime in the country. This rate every year shows up to 50% of criminal cases in the United States of America alone and it is believed that this rate is growing day by day. There are many crimes which comprise this record, serious ones such as homicides, assaults, robbery and rapes, as well as minuscule cases like thefts, burglary, arsons, etc. In a country of 50 states, there are criminal cases recorded in each, but there are a few states and cities where the rates are extraordinarily high. A list of these highest crime cities in US are mentioned in the paragraphs below. Take a look.

Most Dangerous Cities in the United States

Among the various states and cities in the US, there are a few cities which are known to be the safest cities to live in. But there are a few others which are known to be the most dangerous cities in America, thus making them very risky to live in. As mentioned above, there is an annual survey that is carried out to record the crime rate in the country. And according to this, there are a few shortlisted cities known to be the highest crime cities in US. In this article, we will read more about the cities which take the first 5 places in this case, so read on and find out where does America's crime come from, mostly!

Detroit, Michigan
The city of Detroit located in the state of Michigan of the United States of America was known to be the sixth highest in violent crimes, according to the 2007 statistics. However, from the most recent surveys conducted by the FBIs uniform crime report, it has managed to bag the first place among the highest crime cities in US. The city's total population is around 950,000 with the highest crime rate of 1220. It is thus known to be the first in the most dangerous cities in the United States.

Memphis, Tennessee
The second to be known as one of America's most dangerous cities, is the city of Memphis, Tennessee. It is said that the crime rate in this city too had reached a low record in 2004, it was seen to be the fourth most dangerous in 2005. Following this, the crime rate in 2010 has observed to reach the second place, with 1218 among the population of 650,100.

Miami, Florida
This is a very popular and crowded city, situated on the Atlantic coast, and harbors a population of about 2,500,000 people. The crime rate recoded in Miami is said to be 988, which puts this city on the third place of the most dangerous cities in America 2010. Well, there sure is a huge party in Miami, but watch out for those muggers!

Las Vegas, Nevada
Well, many take Vegas to be the "sin city", and in reality it sure proves to be one. With a population of around 1,90,000, the crime rate in Las Vegas is found to be 887, which is why it is known to be the fourth one of the highest crime cities in US.

Stockton, California
Even though geographically it is known to be the 13th largest city in the United States, it bags the 5th position in criminal records. Stockton bears a population of around 290,000 and a crime rate of 885, which is quite close to the Vegas statistics.

There are many other cities considered to be the most dangerous cities in the United States 2010, which follow this list, and they are mentioned below in the descending order of their crime rates. Take a look.

    * Orlando, Florida
    * Little Rock, Arkansas
    * Charleston, South Carolina
    * Nashville, Tennessee
    * Baltimore, Maryland
    * Camden, New Jersey
    * St. Louis, Missouri
    * Oakland, California
    * Flint, Michigan
    * New Orleans, Louisiana
    * Birmingham, Alabama
    * Cleveland, Ohio
    * Jackson, Mississippi

With this information about the highest crime cities in US, I am sure you benefited from it. Well, crime is something that can't be uprooted completely from any civil area, but we can fight it with better law systems, and not let these criminals get away unpunished.

Most Livable Cities in US

When a person shifts to a new city either alone or with his or her family, there are certain things that they expect from the city. If you are a family man (or even you are not), will you be able to live in a city where there are no department stores, or proper schools for your kids, no proper working places, no police department or a place where people commit crime even during daytime? I am sure you will think twice before stepping into a city like that. Agreed that there are some cities like that in United States, where people do not feel comfortable staying specially with their families, but on the other hand, there are also some cities which have been voted as the most livable cities in USA. Want to know which are those cities so that you can shift there with your family if you have been planning on shifting? Then just scroll down and you will get your answer.

Most Livable Cities in America

Good schools, good working places, departmental stores for your daily requirements, a police station, a hospital and a fire department, places for children to play, places safe for the old and handicapped, good roads, no crime, places to visit, like the museum or the zoo and so on, are some of the important things that people expect when they shift into a new city. Cities which are successful in providing these provisions are usually termed as the most livable cities. Here is the list of the most livable cities in US. Know more on the best places to live in 2011.

Pittsburgh
The city of Pittsburgh has been voted to be the best place to live in United States. It is the second largest urban area in US and it is the cradle for most of the cultural activities. It has some of the best music halls here like the Heinz Hall and also the Benedum Center. It also has the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and the list goes on. Children can enjoy themselves at the Pittsburgh Zoo or the PPG Aquarium or maybe at the National Aviary. This is also the hot spot for several theaters such as the City Theater and also the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theater. Besides being the hotbed for cultural activities, this city is also known for its various Universities and as far as safety is concerned, this city has been voted as the 7th safest city. The cost of living here is quite low compared to the other Northeastern cities in United States. Worried about the natural disasters hitting this place? Well, if it’s of any help, this city has a very low risk of being hit by any kind of natural disasters.

Seattle
Seattle is the next best place to live in United States. It is considered to be the largest city in Pacific Northwest and also Washington. People say that Seattle is the "best place in the world to have a heart attack", what with its famous University of Washington, which is said to be among the top 10 medical research institutes in the country. People staying here, also face no problems regarding the daily requirements such as water and electricity. There are also a large number of schools and Universities in this city.

Philadelphia
The third most livable city in US is Philadelphia. This city is the 5th most populous city in United States. In this city, you will find no problem with transportation and it is also considered a safe city, although criminal activities do take place here (but at a low rate). This is a place where you will find people from all over the world living in peace and harmony. This is also a place rich in cultural activities and coming to health and security facilities, it is pretty impressive.

Washington
Washington, the District or Washington D.C. was founded in the year 1790. It is the capital of the United States and it is also one of the most livable cities in America. Although once this city was referred to as the 'murder capital of USA', the crime rate has gone down drastically making it a safe place for you and your family. This city also has a growing economy where the number of professional and business jobs and opportunities are growing day by day. It has the National Mall and various other cultural architecture which is what makes the city attractive for families wishing to settle down in here. This is also the home for American University, George Washington University and several other famous Universities.

San Francisco
The next in the list of most livable cities in USA is San Francisco. The first image that comes into everyone's mind when you hear San Francisco is of course the Golden Gate and Chinatown. This city is one of the most populous state in the United States and it is also a safe place to stay with your family. With wealth from the IT sector, this city has become the place for higher standard of living. The main disadvantage of this city is that it has a high cost of living, due to which only people from influential background can afford to stay here. But, due to the low crime rate, proper educational facilities and cultural environment, this city has been voted to be safe and livable. Know more on the best cities to live in 2011.

These were some of the most livable cities in US, where you can shift with your family. Of course, being termed as the most safest cities in America does not mean that there are no criminal activities; there are, but at a very low rate. In these cities, you will face no water or power shortage and educational as well as work facilities are good in these cities.

Most Violent Cities in America

When you buy a place for your family in a new city, there are certain things that you should check out for; water facility, proper power supply, proper roads, good educational institutions for your kids, good work places and prospect of future development. Besides these you also need to check out for the crime rate of the city, specially if you are moving in with your family. That is more important than any of the other things mentioned above.

Imagine walking on the streets at night only to be pushed against the wall by some ruffians or held at gun point and then robbed off all your valuables and then being shot and left behind to suffer, or probably a murder or rape taking place in the city nearly every single day. Will you be able to stay in a city where you fear to walk on the streets or where you have to stay cooped up in your own house every night for the fear of being nabbed or threatened or worse..murdered? I guess not. Hence, it's important that you find out and carry out some research specially about the crime rate of any city before you shift in. The list of most violent cities in America will help you find out which cities you have to be aware of while shifting in with your family.

Top Ten Most Violent Cities in America

Violence is common is all the cities of the world; hence finding a place where there is zero violence is something quite impossible. The only thing that makes one city safe and the other violent is the rate of violence. Here are some of the most dangerous cities in America which will help you to learn whether the city you are shifting to or the city you are staying in, is safe or not.

Birmingham, Alabama
The city of Birmingham in Alabama occupies the 10th position in America's most dangerous cities. It is one of the highest crime cities in US. The city ranks 7th when it comes to the highest murder rate and 18th in violent crimes. According to several studies, it has a crime rate of 94 per one thousand residents. It is a city with one of the highest murder rates, when compared to the other cities in America. A beautiful city, but dangerous. The violent crimes often includes rapes, robbery and manslaughter.

Gary, Indiana
Although the city of Gary in Indiana is slowly making progress in reducing crime rates, it still remains to be one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. This city is known for it's dangerous murders compared to other criminal activities. Increase in the use of illegal drugs is one of the main reason for the rise in criminal activities.

Compton, California
Talking about the top 10 most violent cities in America, the next name that comes into our mind is Compton in America. This city is famous for it's gang violence, some of the famous gangs being the Bloods, the Latin Kings and some other famous drug dealers. Introduction of illegal drugs in this city is again the main reason for the increase in crime rate.

Oakland, California
Another city in United States of America to be listed as the most dangerous city is Oakland. This city is known for it's auto theft besides the usual criminal activities like murder and theft. This city has one of the highest crime rates in United States.

New Orleans, Louisiana
The city of New Orleans is another name that comes to our mind while talking about the worst cities in America when it comes to crime and violence. This city takes the first place when it comes to murder and it is not far behind in activities like robbery or theft or rape or car theft.

The next five cities that have been marked as the most violent cities in America are

    * Detroit, Michigan
    * St. Louis, Missouri
    * Richmond, California
    * Flint, Michigan
    * Camden, New Jersey

These were some of the most violent cities in America, cities where people are afraid to step out of their house at night, cities where people have to lock their doors all the time for fear of being robbed. If you are planning to shift to a city whose name has been mentioned in this list, then think again specially if you are shifting with your family. And if you are already staying in one of these cities, then you have to be careful.

Causes of Poverty in America

America is always projected as a world superpower, a developed nation with rich people. Something as downtrodden and unfortunate such as poverty is never associated with America. However, the truth is a far cry from this assumptions and indications. According to a report published by U.S. Census Bureau, there are a whopping 39 million poor people in America. Out of these, 13 million are children. Poverty rate in America often fluctuates between 13 to 17%, and has never seen an improvement in the past 20 years. Causes of poverty in America greatly vary from those in underdeveloped countries. This article focuses on some of the main causes of poverty in America.

What are the Causes of Poverty in America

While the term 'poverty' may conjure images of destitute people living in deplorable conditions, this very term assumes a new dimension when we speak of poverty in the United States. Indeed, there are many impoverished people who have to live in a deprived state, but majority of these 39 million people could have passed as 'well off' about 30 years ago. However, the definition of 'poor' primarily revolves around the purchasing power of an individual. It may not be always related to fulfillment of basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. In that context, one has to consider the purchasing power of an individual with respect to that of average population. In that case, these 39 million people are deprived of many material, social and welfare needs which majority of the population enjoys.

Just as the definition of poverty changes as per the context, the causes of poverty also differ in that sense. While population explosion, lack of infrastructure, corruption, natural disasters, political instability, war are some causes of poverty in the third world countries, poverty in America is influenced by far different causes. Given below are some factors which contribute to poverty in America.

Shift in Business Economy
Earlier, American economy was greatly dependent upon manufacturing industries such as steel, textile, automobile etc. These industries presented number of opportunities to uneducated but capable labor. Most of the workforce constituted of African Americans. However, this scenario has undergone a sea change with the emergence of new economical sectors such as Health Care and Information Technology. As a result of this, the reliance of American economy on traditional manufacturing sector reduced. These sectors demanded highly educated and trained professionals. This eventually, led to loss of business opportunities for the minimally educated workforce.

Unemployment
Although, unemployment is one of the cause of poverty, it is an altogether different social issue. Unemployment stems from various social, economical conditions. As mentioned above, shift in business economy is one cause of unemployment for a particular section of society. However, apart from that, there are several other factors which lead to unemployment. It is hard to ignore that majority of impoverished people are either unemployed or only part time employed. Only 2.5% of poor people come from a full time workforce. These figures indicate how a person's financial state is influenced by his employment status.

Lack of Education, Skill
The incidence of high school dropouts is in congruence with the rate of poverty. Lack of education flatly translates to lack of employment opportunities, which eventually leads to poverty. As the demand for laborious jobs diminished, uneducated people were left to welter in poverty. As these people neither had education nor did they acquire any skills required to sustain in changed economical scenario, they were driven into the vicious circle of poverty. This again constituted a large number of black people.

Rise of Suburbs
Most American cities have sprawled to outskirts, leading to creation of suburbs. Suburbs offered better living condition to people. Naturally, many businesses shifted their bases to the newly developed suburb areas. Those who stayed back in the core cities faced a steep shortage of employment opportunities. This eventually forced them to live in impoverished conditions.

Breakdown of Family System
Increased divorce rate means more number of families headed by women alone. Often, these women are unable to take care of their families single handedly. Lack of education, unplanned or out of wedlock pregnancies compound the problems of single women. As a result, they cannot find suitable employment to run their homes. Obviously, the entire family then gets dragged into poverty.

Lack of Willpower
The constant rate of poverty over decades indicates that there is no enough willpower to address this issue, either at personal level or at bureaucratic level. Some sections of poor people make no attempts to improve their condition whatsoever. They not only force their progeny to live in deplorable conditions, but they also pass this unfortunate attitude to them. The end result is, generations of poor people living in destitute conditions. These people are reluctant to interact on a social level, thereby thwarting all attempts to improve their condition.

Crime, drug abuse, mental illnesses are often falsely considered as causes of poverty. However, these are not the causes but effects of poverty. In America, discrimination at various levels such as social, racial, economic, is a major factor responsible for poverty. Most of the above causes of poverty in America stem from inequality. Hence, steps must be taken to bring various societal elements on an equal footing, so as to reduce poverty.

Best Places to Live in the US in 2011

Most people know America as the land of dreams and opportunities and why not, the US is still known as the most powerful economy in the world. Sure the economy was faced with some trouble regarding the economic recession but America still didn't fall. It came up and stabilized itself. Now if you are on the lookout for a better tomorrow and want to migrate or change location, I suggest you give the US a thought. It's a great place with hospitable people, good education, affordable health care and a much more easy and balanced life. Here are some of the best places to live in the US in 2011.

Best Places to Live in the US

What will be your ideal city to live in? It should have good transportation, good education, good job opportunities, good vacation spots for your family and of course safety on the streets. Well the US, is a safe country and the living proof is that no terrorist attack has happened after 9/11. So here are the best places which you can relocate.

New York
One of the most famous places in the world and in America, New York is home to many world famous personalities. The state of New York is home to Wall Street, Statue of Liberty and the UN. The city also offers you great educational facilities and the offices of many multinational corporations are situated here. Until 2001 it was home to the twin towers of the World Trade Center. The city also has 28,000 acres of parks overall, Central Park being the most famous.

Washington D.C.
Everyone of us know Washington DC as the capital of the United States. The city is also home to the most powerful man in the world, the President of the United States. It has the White House, the Smithsonian museums and many more ancient buildings which are filled with rich history and heritage. Washington DC is filled with employment opportunities, entertainment stations and great neighborhoods. It's also home to 11 richest counties of the US.

Minneapolis
It's a booming city with lots of employment opportunities and one of he best places to live in the US for young adults. The city has experienced superb job growth, great transportation and a rise in natural resources. The city has been ranked as one of the best places to live in America by many magazines and traveling shows.

Portland
One of the best places to live in the US in 2011 is Portland, a city in the state of Oregon. It's also known as the city of roses and it's famous all over the nation for its parks and gardens, the most famous being Forest Park which gives you 5000 acres of green covers. Due to many water bodies, the cost of electricity is very low in Portland and the city also fares well in agriculture. The city is also home to many Hollywood personalities. This city is excellent for employment opportunities as it's home to many sports apparel, aluminum and steel producing companies.

San Fransisco
One of the best places to live in 2011 is the city of San Fransisco in California. It's one of most colorful cities in the world. San Fransisco is described as a country with a rich and varied culture which features strong art, amazing restaurants, splendid views and beautiful architecture. This city is known for the quality transportation service that it offers, all thanks to the string of cable cars and buses.

Other Good Places to Live in America

In this great nation of 50 states, there are many more places where you can dwell peacefully and start a new life. US is filled with amazing opportunities, you just have to be at the right place at the right time. Here are those places.

    * Phoenix, Arizona
    * Austin, Texas
    * Boulder, Colorado
    * Charlottesville, Virginia
    * Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania
    * Fargo, North Dakota
    * Burlington, Vermont
    * Indianapolis, Indiana
    * Columbia, Missouri
    * Hartford, Connecticut

These are some of the best places to live in the US in 2011. By now you must have chosen your favorite destination where you can live your life peacefully and have a new beginning.

Irish Last Names

Last names, also known as family names, always come with a little bit of interesting history attached to them. A last name tells the other person little more about your origins and ancestral roots. All over the world, every culture uses a last name to distinguish it from others. Also, there are different rules and preferences regarding usage of last names in different cultures. The same goes with Irish last names. Read more on Irish culture.

In earlier times, the Irish population was extremely small and people did not leave the country in large groups as well. Because of this every person was known by his own first name and there was no concept of a last name. Since there were no two people with the same name in a locality, there was no problem either. Also, the Gaelic clan system ensured that people of a common tribe or area got a common identity. During the eleventh century, Irish population began to grow and this led to the breakdown of the single name system, as better means of identification were required. This was when prefixes like "Mac" and "'O" were invented. 'O means 'grand son of', while 'Mac' means 'son of'.

When the English invaded and colonized Ireland in the seventeenth century, they made all Gaelic sounding surnames illegal. This created a lot of confusion as Irish last names were changed during this time and has resulted in Irish last manes being a little messed up till date. Prefixes like 'O and Mac were dropped and last names like MacMahon became Vaughan.

However, these rules started easing up from nineteenth century onwards, after which people started retaining their traditional Gaelic names and even prefixes were added back. Not everybody did this and hence you will find Gaelic as well as the 'Anglicized' forms of the same Irish last names still prevalent in today's times.

Popular Irish Last Names and Meanings

To compile an Irish last names list is a tough task as there are more than 3000 last names. The list below states the more popular Irish last names along with their meaning.

    * Murphy – Sea-battler
    * Walsh – Welshman
    * Kelly – Bright-headed
    * O'Connor – Patron of Warriors
    * Smith – Son of the Smith
    * Ryan – King
    * O'Sullivan – Dark-eyed
    * Byrne – A raven
    * O'Neill – From Niall of the nine hostages
    * O' Brien – Noble
    * Kennedy – Helmet headed
    * Doyle – Dark foreigner
    * Moore – Majestic
    * O' Doherty – Hurtful
    * McCarthy – Loving person
    * Murray – Master, Lord
    * Gallagher – Love of foreigners
    * Lynch – Exile, seafarer
    * Quinn – Chief, wisdom
    * Wilson – Son of William
    * Collins – Young Warrior
    * McLoughlin – Viking
    * O'Connell – Strong like a wolf
    * Burke – From Richard de Burgh
    * O'Carroll – Valorous in battle
    * Dunne – Brown
    * Daly – Assembles frequently
    * Brennan – Sorrow
    * Connolly – Fierce like a hound
    * Campbell – Crooked mouth
    * Nolan – Famous
    * O'Farrell – Man of valor
    * Clarke – Clergyman
    * Maguire – Dun-colored
    * Fitzgerald – Spear rule
    * Johnston – Son of John
    * Brown – Son of the judge
    * Hughes – Fire
    * Martin – Devotee of Saint Martin
    * Flynn – Bright red
    * Duffy – Black, dark
    * White – Of fair complexion
    * O'Donnell – World-mighty
    * O'Shea – Stately, fine
    * Thompson – Son of Thom
    * O'Mahony – Bear-calf
    * Healy – Scientific, artistic
    * O'Callaghan – Bright-headed
    * Boyle – Vain pledge
    * Sweeney – Pleasant
    * McGrath – Son of grace
    * Foley – A plunderer
    * Hayes – Fire
    * Power – The poor man
    * Casey – Vigilant in war, watchful
    * Moran – Great
    * Foley – A plunderer
    * Kavanagh – Mild, comely
    * Stewart – One who superintends
    * Fitzpatrick – Devotee of Saint Patrick
    * Donnelly – Brown valour
    * Mullan – Bald
    * Regan – Little king
    * O'Leary – Calf-herd
    * Flangan – Ruddy, red
    * MacMahon – Bear-calf
    * Donovan – Black, brown
    * McDonnell – World-mighty
    * Burns – From Scottish business
    * Barry – Cambro-Norman name
    * Cunningham – Scottish name
    * Lyons – Grey
    * Robinson – Son of Robert
    * Kenny – Fire sprung
    * Ward – Son of the Bard
    * Kane – Battler
    * Whelan – Wolf
    * Sheehan – Peaceful
    * Reid – Red haired
    * Scott – A Scottish Gael
    * Cullen – Holy
    * Maher – Majestic, fine
    * Hogan – Young
    * MacKenna – Fire-sprung
    * O' Dwyer – Black
    * O'Keeffe – Gentle
    * Buckley – Cow herd
    * Magee – Fire
    * Molony – Servant of the Church
    * MacNamara – Hound of the sea
    * MacDermott – Free from envy

Common Irish Last Names in the United States

    * Walsh
    * White
    * Thompson
    * Smith
    * Sullivan
    * Sweeney
    * Reilly
    * Ryan
    * Quinn
    * O'Brien
    * O'Donnell
    * O'Neil
    * Nolan
    * Martin
    * McCarthy
    * McDonald
    * McGuire
    * Moore
    * Murphy
    * Murray
    * Lynch
    * Kelly
    * Kennedy
    * Hayes
    * Hughes
    * Gallagher
    * Farrell
    * Ferguson
    * Fitzgerald
    * Flynn
    * Daugherty
    * Duffy
    * Dunn
    * Calhoun
    * Callahan
    * Campbell
    * Carroll
    * Clark
    * Collins
    * Conley
    * Conner
    * Boyle
    * Brennan
    * Brown
    * Burke
    * Burns

If you are Irish, you probably would be interested in your family crest. Sadly, there are no family crests according to Irish last names. A family crest is presented on an individual basis, which can be passed on from father to son, but is not awarded to any particular family name.

Most Common Last Names in America

Surnames or last names form an integral part of a person's identity. Earlier, surnames were an indicator of a person's occupation or place of origin. Although, this tradition has been long forgotten, the newer generations still carry their family's last name. These modern successors might have moved miles away from their place of origin and may have nothing to do with the traditional occupation, but they still flaunt their lineage by carrying a century old surname. Surnames are also indicative of an immigration pattern of a country. Some immigrants anglicize their last names to sound like native surnames. There are thousands of different surnames in the United States. Yet, everyday you might find at least one person with same last name as yours. Why? Your surname may be amongst the most common last names in America! Want to find out? Go through this list of top 100 common surnames in the US.

Top 10 Most Common Last Names in the United States

The following data is derived from the findings of U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Population Analysis & Evaluation Staff, based on the 1990 census.

1. Smith
A whopping 2,501,922 people are registered under this last name. England, Australia, Scotland, Canada are some other countries where Smiths top the list of common names. So, if you are a Smith, be prepared to meet several other Smiths every day.

2. Johnson
Johnson is another common last name which surpasses the two million mark. Some of the Swedish immigrants by the name of Johansson have anglicized their last name to Johnson, making it the second most common last name in US.

3. Williams
Williams is a more common last name in African Americans. Currently, there are 1,738,413 people registered under this name.

4 & 5. Jones/ Brown
Number 4 and 5 slots are occupied by these two last names. Although, the population for each of the surnames is the same, number 4 slot officially goes to Jones, followed by Brown at number 5.

6. Davis
This is yet another popular common name shared by 1,193,760 people in the United States.

7. Miller
The rise of this surname as a common last name can also be attributed to the fact that many Germans by the name Muller chose to anglicize their last name to Miller. There are around 1,193,760 Millers in America.

8. Wilson
It would be a surprise if this last name didn't make it to top 10, considering the number of times you come across people with this surname. There are 843,093 people registered under this surname.

9. Moore
This yet another popular name which has also made it to the list of 10 most common surnames. There are 775,944 people with Moore as their last name.

10. Taylor
Last but not the least, Taylor rounds up the list of popular surnames with a population of 773,547, just below that of Moore's.

List of Most Common Surnames in America

Rank Last Name Population 11 Anderson 857,000 12 Thomas 857,000 13 Jackson 854,200 14 White 768,800 15 Harris 757,800 16 Martin 752,300 17 Thompson 741,300 18 Garcia 699,900 19 Martinez 644,800 20 Robinson 642,100 21 Clark 636,500 22 Rodriguez 631,000 23 Lewis 622,800 24 Lee 606,200 25 Walker 603,500 26 Hall 551,100 27 Allen 548,400 28 Young 531,800 29 Hernandez 529,100 30 King 523,600 31 Wright 520,800 32 Lopez 515,300 33 Hill 515,300 34 Scott 509,800 35 Green 504,300 36 Adams 479,500 37 Baker 471,200 38 Gonzalez 457,400 39 Nelson 446,400 40 Carter 446,400 41 Mitchell 440,900 42 Perez 427,100 43 Roberts 421,600 44 Turner 418,900 45 Phillips 410,600 46 Campbell 410,600 47 Parker 402,300 48 Evans 388,500 49 Edwards 377,500 50 Collins 369,300 51 Stewart 366,500 52 Sanchez 358,200 53 Morris 344,500 54 Rogers 338,900 55 Reed 336,200

Rank Last Name Population 56 Cook 330,700 57 Morgan 325,200 58 Bell 322,400 59 Murphy 322,400 60 Bailey 316,900 61 Rivera 311,400 62 Cooper 311,400 63 Richardson 308,600 64 Cox 303,100 65 Howard 303,100 66 Ward 297,600 67 Torres 297,600 68 Peterson 294,900 69 Gray 292,100 70 Ramirez 289,300 71 James 289,300 72 Watson 283,800 73 Brooks 283,800 74 Kelly 281,100 75 Sanders 275,600 76 Price 272,800 77 Bennett 272,800 78 Wood 270,100 79 Barnes 267,300 80 Ross 264,500 81 Henderson 261,800 82 Coleman 261,800 83 Jenkins 261,800 84 Perry 259,000 85 Powell 256,300 86 Long 253,500 87 Patterson 253,500 88 Hughes 253,500 89 Flores 253,500 90 Washington 253,500 91 Butler 250,800 92 Simmons 250,800 93 Foster 250,800 94 Gonzales 239,700 95 Bryant 239,700 96 Alexander 234,200 97 Russell 234,200 98 Griffin 231,500 99 Diaz 231,500 100 Hayes 228,700

Most common last names in America are bound to change as some families expand at a higher rate than others. Remarkably, Smith has held its number one position since 1990. Hope you found this article interesting.

Nostradamus Predictions About the World War 3

Nostradamus was born in 1503 in St Remi, France. He was a renowned physician and an astrologer of his time. He started his practice as a physician in 1525 AD after completing his studies in Montpellier. Nostradamus was ahead of his times and used innovative methods to treat the victims of bubonic plague. He was successful in curing even the extremely ill and this earned him a reputation as a gifted healer.

He showed interest in pagan methods of divination and astronomy. Once he gave up his profession of practicing medicine, he settled down in Salon, France. He studied the art of magic by reading ancient texts of Egyptian and Alexandrian magic. He became a famous soothsayer and could predict the future. It was during his stay in Salon, France he compiled and published his book Centuries. He wrote his prophecies in the form of short poems. Each poem consisted of four lines called quatrain. He has written 942 quatrains. Nostradamus grouped 100 quatrains into one century. Hence there are ten centuries; one of the centuries has only 42 quatrains.

Nostradamus Predictions About the World War III

The interpreters of his book Centuries opine that Nostradamus had accurately predicted the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the rise of Hitler in Germany, the French Revolution and many important events. Scholars of Nostradamus believe he has foreseen and predicted the third World War.

    * Mabus then will soon die, there will come
      Of people and beasts a horrible rout:
      Then suddenly one will see vengeance,
      Hundred, hand, thirst, hunger when the comet will run.

These quatrains are from the Century 2. The scholars have interpreted these quatrains with the incidents and events relating to the present century.

"Mabus then will soon die, there will come" - The scholars of Nostradamus have interpreted "Mabus" to be President Bush of America. As per the interpretation it is believed that Mr. Bush would be assassinated.

"Hundred, hand, thirst, hunger when the comet will run" - the comet in this quatrain is one of the several comets that is likely to cross the skies in next few years. His predictions may or may not come true. However, the one of the comet named Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann3 was close to the earth on May 13 2006 and close to the sun on June 6, 2006. This comet was discovered when Hitler came to power in 1930.

There are many such quatrains, where Nostradamus has mentioned about the disasters that are bound to occur in the late 20th and during the 21st century. The scholars of Nostradamus have put together the various incidents that have taken place in the past decade to describe the progress of World War 3.

One of the quatrains describes the attack on the World Trade Center in New York. It has also mentioned about the holy war that would be waged by the antichrist. In Century 2, Quatrain 30, Nostradamus has mentioned the rise of the Kings of Mongols. The last Mongolian emperor Genghis Khan’s empire included the modern-day Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Central Asia. The interpreters opine it could be the Iraq war and the possibility of the American attack on Iran. Scholars say, Nostradamus had predicted the usage of nuclear weapon in the World War 3.

Finally, it all depends on how the quatrains are interpreted by the scholars. According to them, Nostradamus have mentioned about the nuclear plants and the nuclear missiles that will destroy the world and the mankind. After the World War III, the peace would be restored. He has mentioned about the restoration of peace in Century 10, quatrain 74.

    * The year the great seventh number is accomplished,
      Appearing at the time of the great games of slaughter:
      Not far from the age of the great millennium,
      When the dead will come out of their graves

"The year the great seventh number is accomplished"- this quatrain implies that the world will begin new after the World War 3 and the peace will the restored when the great seventh number is accomplished. Seventh number is the year that ends with seven. But which is that year? The numerologists and the scholars are racking their brains trying to divine the true mean of the number 7. Since 2007 is behind us, it could be 2070 according to some scholars.

The happiness is how we see things and what we make of it. The current world is ruled by hatred, jealousness and greediness. Unless and until people change their ways, the world would be drowned in grief and suffering.

Fortune Telling

Man craves to reveal everything that is concealed. He has a quenchless thirst for solving mysteries. He yearns to know the unknowns and hunts for the hidden truths of life. Fortune is one such thing that a human mind longs for but it is interestingly the thing that can never be known in advance. What’s written in one’s destiny is always hidden. One can get to know your future only in future! But with the tendency to unfold mysteries of life, man sets out to know his fortune. He wants his fortune told! Fortune telling is a practice of predicting one’s future.

Fortune telling is practiced with the help of mystical powers and at times with the purpose of commercial gain. It is often combined with divination, the religious practice of foretelling the future by interpreting omens.

In America and Europe, methods like 'astromancy', 'horary astrology' and spirit board reading are employed for fortune telling. Astromancy is derived from astrology. In horary astrology, the astrologer designs the horoscope for the time at which he received the question and bases his predictions on it. A spirit board or an Ouija board is a board printed with letters, names or symbols. An indicator pointing to it is supposed to answer questions put by people. Cartomancy and tarot reading take the help of cards to predict the future while crystallomancy is based on reading from a crystal sphere. Palmistry, also known as cheiromancy, is another common method of fortune telling in Europe and America. In the African-American society, fortune telling without the help of any devices is popular. The fortuneteller is believed to get indications from some super natural powers.

In Asian countries, fortune telling is practiced through a variety of methods. Palm reading associates the lines of the palm with different aspects of life. The shape and size of the palm and the fingers also determine a person’s fortune. Face reading bases fortune telling on the facial features. According to a certain theory, the upper portion of the face symbolizes the youth, the middle portion, the middle age and the lower portion, the old age. In Kau Cim of China, a bamboo cylinder is shaken resulting in an incense stick leaving the cylinder. The characters that are inscribed on this stick signify fortune. In Western countries, this method is called ‘Chi-Chi sticks’.

Some techniques of fortune telling base their predictions on numerology. In numerology, the numbers that constitute the birth date of a person are believed to impact his/her fortune. Other forms of fortune telling rely on the behavior of animals. In some cultures, cats are held in high esteem. Their actions are interpreted as indications about the future. For example, if a cat sneezes, it is said to rain or a black cat crossing someone’s path is an indication of bad luck. Some cultures consider snakes as messengers of God. Graphology is another technique of predicting one’s future. It is the method of interpreting one’s fortune from his/her handwriting. It is primarily used to determine character traits but can also be utilized in predicting one’s future.

The Chinese society respects fortunetellers, who advise people about the major decisions of life. In Africa, the practice of fortune telling is not prohibited. People often consult fortunetellers. In the Western countries, women commonly seek fortunetellers for guidance about their futures. Fortune telling is thus an activity that has different forms in different parts of the world.

To sum it up I can say, fortune telling is not an exact science. It bases itself on pseudosciences such as Astrology. It is rather a system of beliefs. It is up to you whether to base your decisions on the inputs from fortunetellers or to base them entirely on your decision-making capabilities!

Tea Leaf Reading

The art of tea-leaf reading probably originated in ancient China. The terms tasseomancy, tasseography or teomancy are used to refer tea-leaf reading. This art of fortune-telling using tea leaves is approximately five thousand years old. It was popular in ancient Europe and the Middle East. Today, tea-leaf reading is practiced as a hobby at social gatherings.

Reading Tea Leaves

A tea-leaf fortune reader uses the symbols and the patterns formed by the residue of tea in a fine light-colored china cup to predict one’s fortune or future. The art of tea-leaf reading is an intuitive and creative form of divination. Like any other forms of divination, tea-leaf reading also requires the seer to concentrate and he should be relaxed both mentally and physically. Good concentration and relaxed atmosphere will enhance the ability of the seer to see beyond the symbols and patterns. The seer uses his intuitive knowledge and clairvoyance to interpret the symbols.

How to Read Tea Leaves

Always remember the seer and the seeker should be in the relaxed state of mind prior to tea-leaf reading. Each reader has his or her style of reading. The materials that you require for tea-leaf reading include tea leaves or granules (not tea bags), steaming water, couple of spoons, a wide-brimmed white cup and a saucer. The seeker brews the tea and also drinks it as the part of the ritual of tea-leaf reading.

A good seer would be able to interpret the signs right from the stage of brewing. The seeker is asked to stir the tea leaves with a spoon while the tea is boiling. A few of the signs that are interpreted by the fortune-teller while making tea are given below

    * While stirring if the tea leaves spill, it is considered a good sign.
    * The floating of bubbles means the seeker would get money or fortune in near future.
    * If the stalks or leaves of the tea float on the surface, the visitors are likely to come.
    * The number of leaves or stalks floating tells you in how many days the visitors will arrive.
    * Accidentally, if two spoons are placed on the saucer, it means the arrival of twins in your family.
    * However, placing the spoon upside down would bring bad news regarding the health of the seeker’s near one.
    * If the tea is strong it is interpreted as beginning of new friendship in the near future. On the other hand, a weak tea indicates end of friendship.

A point worth mentioning is it is the seeker who has to stir his tea and not the seer. The reason is stirring another person’s tea could cause unwanted arguments. Once the tea is made, the seeker either drinks his tea or strains the tea, leaving behind a small amount of liquid and tea leaves as a residue.

The seer whirls the cup around for sometime and the patterns are formed. A few small clumps of tea leaves are formed in the cup. The seer then holds the cup using both his hands and concentrates before predicting the future.

Tea Leaf Reading - Symbols

The seer holds the cup in such a manner that the handle of the cup points towards the seeker. The handle of the cup represents the seeker and his home and family. The symbols are interpreted keeping mind the distance between the handle and the tea leaves. The rim of the cup represents the events that have occurred in the recent past. The tea leaves lying closer to the bottom of the cup indicate the events that are bound to occur in distant future. The clumps of tea leaves on the right side of the handle tells the future and the ones on the left tells the past.

The patterns formed when the cup is swirled are helpful in telling the future. If there is a distinct pattern on the cup despite swirling and emptying the contents, it is interpreted as sorrow and grief.

There is an indication of trouble if there is a single large clump of tea leaves. If the clump lies near the handle, it means you are the cause for the trouble and if it is opposite to the handle, it means someone else is causing the trouble. People are indicated by the tea-stalk - men are indicated by the long stalks and the short stalk indicates the women. The dark and light stalk indicates coloring. Slanted stalks represent the untrustworthy people.

There are tea-leaf readers who interpret the images that are formed in the cup. A few of the symbols and images that are interpreted include acorn, bell, baby, anchor, bag, birds, boat, candles, cat and many more. These symbols indicate various events that have either occurred or are likely to occur in the future.

Astrology Houses Explained

Time and again mankind has sought to predict the future and destiny through various means, one of them being the art and science of astrology. The reason that astrology is termed to be a science is that there are concrete theories and principles based upon the 12 Zodiac signs and 12 astrology houses that may affect people's lives in a particular manner. At the same time, every person has a unique personality that is coupled with a combination of Zodiac sign and astrology houses. The derivation of effect of movement of planets into the 12 houses is an art, as it is unique to every Zodiac sign. Many of us are well acquainted with the 12 Zodiac signs, however, it is also equally important to give a thought to the 12 houses of astrology and the effect that they have on every zodiac sign. Hence in the following paragraphs, I have described every possible astrological house and the logic behind them…

Houses in Astrology: Houses Explained

The night sky, which is full of stars and planets of the Milky Way, is broadly classified by astrologers into various houses. Houses in astrology are basically notional 'lines' that divide the night sky into 12 sections, which are known as 'houses'. The 12 houses stretch across the sky from an eastern horizon to western horizon. The first house being just above the western horizon and the last one being just below the western horizon. The remaining houses are spread across the sky and are numbered in an anticlockwise manner. For example, after sunrise, the sun first enters the 12th house. It must be noted that there are also some astrologers, who use a 10 house system. Vedic astrology houses are one of the earliest established houses in astrology and operated with a simple logic that the presence of a particular planet, star or constellation in a particular house affected the people of a particular Zodiac sign, in a particular manner. In order to understand the, particular effects in particular houses, let us take a look at the 12 houses and their meanings.

The 12 Astrological Houses

In 12 house astrology system every house has some significance, meaning and also a dominant zodiac sign. The following list is a small compilation of astrology houses and their meanings. It also includes the astrology house rulers and a small elaboration of the said houses.

Houses in Astrology #1
Astrology houses and planets, as mentioned above appear across the night sky in the counter clock manner. Thus, the first house is above the western horizon. The dominating sign of this house is Aries and it is also known as the House of self. The first house is also known as Ascendant, and implies emergence and birth.

Houses in Astrology #2
The second house is the house of value and is dominated by Taurus, signifies establishment. This house is often observed as a positive aggression.

Houses in Astrology #3
The third house is for the development of mind and is dominated by Gemini. It is sometimes also known as house of communications and signifies childhood and basic eduction.

Houses in Astrology #4
The house of family and home is dominated by Cancer and ancestry, heritage and family are the priority of this house. This house also emphasizes on the establishment of human feelings.

Houses in Astrology #5
The fifth house of astrology is that of pleasure, recreational and leisure. It also signifies creativity, self expression and entertainment. In this house a person depicts his talents and passions. This house is dominated by Leo.

Houses in Astrology #6
The sixth house is that of health and monotonous schedules. Becoming aware of routine tasks and duties is a peculiar characteristic of this house. It is often characterized by care taking, and is the first house that is not self centered. The sixth house is dominated by Virgo.

Houses in Astrology #7
The house of partner is dominated by Libra and depicts relations. This house deals with all domestic matters and also any partnerships, right from domestic to business.

Houses in Astrology #8
The house of reincarnation is the eighth house and is dominated by Scorpio. It deal with cycles of rebirth and death. As the name suggests it also emphasizes on reincarnation and transformation.

Houses in Astrology #9
Foreign travel, law and ethics, culture, knowledge and experience are all embedded in the ninth house. This house is also known as house of philosophy and is dominated by Sagittarius.

Houses in Astrology #10
The house of social status is the tenth house and it depicts ambitions and career. This house is dominated by Capricorn sign.

Houses in Astrology #11
The 11th house is that of friendships and is dominated by Aquarius. This house indicates like minded aptitudes and fortune. It also emphasizes upon career.

Houses in Astrology #12
The twelfths house is that of pisces and is also known as self-undoing. It implies, Mysticism and of course self undoing. Some common characteristics are self sacrifice, subconscious etc.

On the whole, astrology house descriptions, and their significance in a person's life won't matter much as existence of particular Zodiac signs and planets in each house tend to affect your life. I hope, Astrology houses explained is an enjoyable article.

Astrology: History and Beliefs

Some questions about life and death seem to have no answers. There is always a great amount of uncertainty associated with one's future; life is extremely unpredictable and so are we! What is the reason behind this uncertainty? Why is life so unpredictable? No one has ever been able to find answers to these questions. And perhaps for the very same reason, pseudosciences like astrology have come into existence. Yes, many prefer to describe astrology as a set of false beliefs. However, there are many others who do not agree with this perception. They believe in the impact that celestial bodies bear upon the life on Earth and I am one of them. Unknowingly, this mysterious science has drawn my interest towards its history and beliefs. This is an attempt to share my findings with you.

Astrology: History and Beliefs

The concept of astrology dates back to ancient times. Beliefs about astrology vary across different regions and cultures. In general, astrology can be classified into two broad categories, namely, natural and judicial. Natural astrology involves the charting of planetary positions, while judicial astrology is based on the study of the effects of celestial bodies on human life. On the basis of regions and cultures, astrology is categorized as Western, Indian and Chinese. Western astrology is said to have been practiced, for the first time, by the people of Babylonia, from where it spread to other countries. In the 4th century BC, it reached Greece and soon after, Rome. Between 7th and 13th century BC, the Arab population began to believe in astrology. Within the next few centuries, the Mayans, the Aztecs and other cultures and civilizations also developed new forms of astrology.

The Babylonians believed in the existence of five planets, each representing a God. Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mercury and Mars were the five planets identified by the Babylonians. They thought that the movements of the sun, moon and other planets were associated with the activities of God. They believed in being able to predict the activities of these Gods, in order to predict the events on Earth. The Babylonian priests predicted the events in human life, based on their interpretations of the heavenly activities.

Chinese astrology is based on astronomy and closely related to Chinese philosophy. The Chinese also believe in the existence of five major planets, each bearing a distinct symbolism. Venus stands for the metal element and is associated with the white tiger. Mercury represents the water element and is symbolic of the black tortoise. Mars, representing the fire element, is associated with the Vermilion bird. Saturn represents the Earth element and is linked to the Yellow Dragon, while Jupiter represents the wood element and is associated with the Azure dragon. The Chinese zodiac forms an important constituent of Chinese astrology.

After the occupation of Egypt by Alexander the Great, horoscopic astrology was introduced to the world. Horoscopic astrology is a form that is based on the concept of a horoscope. Horoscope is a birth chart of an individual, plotted on the basis of the positions of planets and stars at the time of his/her birth. The introduction of horoscopes was a major breakthrough in the field of astrology. The methodology of tracing horoscopes has undergone very little change, which signifies the degree of perfection the astrologers of ancient times had achieved.

As astrology is closely related to astronomy, significant achievements in the field of astronomy are worth a mention. The Arabs have made a notable contribution to the world's knowledge about astrology. They are credited with the discovery of many stars. Also, Arabs were the first to bring out the ideas of favorable and unfavorable astrological predications.

The difference between astrology and astronomy was first brought out by Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, a Persian Muslim astronomer. Arguments over whether astrology had a scientific base, led the Muslims to disbelieve in astrology. There were also other religious reasons for which the Muslims refused the existence of astrology as a science.

The Hindu astrology dates back to the Mauryan period. It is known as Jyotisa and is divided into 3 branches, namely Siddhanta, Hora and Samhita. The traditional Indian astronomy is referred to as Siddhanta, while Hora is predictive astrology, which is based on the analysis of natal horoscopes. The predictions of important events such as the occurrence of natural calamities or events in fields of the nation's finance and politics, are classified under Samhita.

Since historical times, there have been people who have not only claimed to predict future with accuracy, but have also proved their expertise. There have been accounts of astrologers forecasting the future of the world; of mankind, basing their predictions on both scientific and non-scientific evidences. Narratives of fortune-tellers and astrologers, are a part of many folklores. Perhaps there is no written evidence about their authenticity, but there is also no concrete proof that can deny it.

The basic idea behind the faiths and beliefs in astrology is that rays from planets and other celestial bodies affect life on Earth. While some disagree with this proposition, there are others who believe in it. They argue saying, "If the forces of gravity have a direct effect on Earth, why shouldn't other planetary forces influence the earthlings?" Do you dare to

I Want to Know my Future

Something that you will hear many people say all around you is "I want to know my future!". The unknown is something that always manages to spike the curiosity factor in anyone. A lot of people out there claim that they would rather know the future than remain in the dark about it. This is the reason why knowing your future through fortune telling is slowly becoming a huge rage attracting many people that are eager to explore the unknown. There are many ways of finding out about your future, like with the help of tarot cards, or palmistry or astrology. In fact, you will find that many people all around are going about doing psychic predictions and are eager to tell you your future. So, for those of you that are keen on knowing what the future holds for them, given below are a few methods that people claim works well for them.

I Want to Know my Future - Will Palmistry Help?
Palm reading is a common practice that is used to delve into one's future. This is done by holding the palm of a person and reading the lines on the hands. There are very specific lines on the hand, like the marriage and lifeline which will help you know more about facets related to these aspects. The life line will tell you the kind of life that you have ahead of you whereas the marriage line will tell you how your marriage will be and whether it will be marred by infidelity or not. There are many other palm reading basics that a person needs to keep in mind when going to a palmist. There are, however, many skeptics that claim that the lines on the palm are nothing but the indentations that result due to the folding of palms in fetal position when the baby is still in utero. Hence, there is no scientific reason to claim that if a person folded his hands in a certain position which may affect the life line, that means he will end up having a significantly shorter life or one with low energy levels.

I Want to Know my Future - Will Astrology Help?
Another popular way of knowing more about your future is with the help of astrology and daily horoscopes. These are by far the most common ways of knowing about the future. The daily horoscopes that you read in the newspaper or online will tell you about how your day will slowly unfold. Astrology, on the other hand, can even give you a fair idea of your forecast for the month. It can help you know if your relationship will be a success or not with the help of astrology signs compatibility. These are often referred to by many youth when it comes to trying to find out the future with regard to their relationship or their day to day activities.

I Want to Know my Future... But do I?
"There was a survey once. A thousand people were asked, if they could know in advance, would they want to know the exact day of their death. Ninety-six percent of them said "No". I always kind of leaned toward the other 4 percent. I thought it would be liberating... knowing how much time you had left to work with. A year at best. It turns out, it's not." - The Bucket List

This line that Morgan Freeman says in The Bucket List perhaps best captures the opinion that a lot of people have about the future. It might sound crazy, but there are a lot of people that say they are better off without knowing their future, especially when they are going to die. They say that death is inevitable and it is something that everyone has to face, so why know of the day and time from now and let it hound you for the rest of the life, like a ticking bomb?

The people opposed to knowing the future have a simple ideology - they say that life is full of surprises, which is what makes it so enjoyable. Let me give you an example. When you're watching a baseball match and it all comes down to the last ball with a nail biting finish, then don't you end up enjoying that match a lot more, as opposed to if someone were to just come and tell you the results beforehand. Similarly, when watching a suspense movie, don't you just hate it when someone tell you who the killer is and ruins the ending for you? In both these instances, it is the experience of waiting till the end to find out what the future has in store that makes the entire experience so exciting. It is the same case with life. Like someone has rightly said, "Life is a journey, not a destination", so it is better to enjoy the ride, than worry about when you'll reach the end.

This was all about how to know your future and a small argument on whether or not you really would want to know what your future holds in store for you. For those of you who are still hell bent on screaming "I want to know my future!" at every palmist and astrologer you come across, then perhaps, the most accurate answer or prediction that anyone can give is "Your future.... is what you make of it."

Astrological Signs and Meanings

We are all familiar with the twelve signs of the zodiac that are represented by animals, but may be unaware of the meaning of each sign. Sometimes we also tend to check astrology signs compatibility, for fun and at times seriously to find out which signs match the characteristics of the other signs. Zodiac is derived from the Greek word zodiakos, which means 'the circle of life'. There are twelve zodiac signs, each ruled by a planet and governed by either one of the four elements - air, water, earth and fire. It is said that an individual born under a particular zodiac sign shows an influence of the element in his character. Each of the astrological signs has its own traits, both positive and negative. Individuals born on the first or last day of the zodiac sign are said to be on the cusp and tend to show characteristics of both the astrological signs. Let us take a look at the zodiac signs and meanings to check out our personalities and individual traits.

Astrological Signs and Their Meanings

Each of the twelve astrological signs has a different characteristic and meaning. Given here is an overview about the astrological signs and meanings and also what zodiac signs are compatible.

Aries (March 21 - April 19)
The first sign of the zodiac, Aries is ruled by the planet Mars, the Roman God of war. The individuals born under this sign are self oriented, talkative and vibrant. Aries make good friends and can be very generous and caring. Arians are pioneers of action and thought and love freedom. Just like the young ram, they are very enthusiastic and bubbling with energy. In relationships, Aries are candid and compassionate. They also make generous friends on whom they can rely on. They are very impulsive in nature and do not think before saying or doing anything and regret the action later. Arians also dislike admitting failure, fearing that these may make them look weak, and are selfish at times. They can be very short tempered and hate any kind of restrictions (in case of possessive relationships) forced upon them. The most compatible zodiac signs for Aries are Leo and Sagittarius.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Though Taureans appear to be calm, composed and collected, they are a class apart from the rest of the astrological signs. Just like the Bull, Taurus individuals are tough, persistent and independent, They have a perseverance towards achieving their goals, which gives them a stubborn streak. This stubbornness makes them fight till the end to achieve the impossible even when others have given up. They are very faithful and generous and shower affection on their family and friends. Though calm in outer appearance, Taureans are known to have a temper, and the wrath once kindled takes time to die down. Being down to earth, these individuals prefer creativity over flashy, gaudy things. These individuals like to follow a fixed routine and do not adapt well to change. The negative traits of this zodiac sign are being materialistic, stingy and expert procrastinators. Virgo and Capricorn are the signs that are compatible with Taurus.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
Just like the Twins, Gemini is ruled by the planet Mercury, the messenger of the Gods in Greek mythology. Similar to the ruling planet, Geminis can never stay at a place for long. They are always on the look out for knowledge and experiences. A perfect example for social butterfly, individuals born under this sign are known to keep a crowd entertained with their amusing talks but tend to get deviated from the main topic. Gemini are multi faceted personalities and can manage things very well if they put their heart into it. Adaptability and intelligence are their two main virtues. They can be very generous, affectionate, and kind. Gemini individuals are known to be superficial and judge a person not by his feelings but by the way they are treated. They never go deep into a matter and lack perseverance. Geminis cannot compromise on their independence and freedom and take all care to get them. In terms of compatibility, Aquarius and Libra can make good partners with Gemini.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
The zodiac sign of Cancer is full of mysteries and contradictions. Cancerians are mysterious beings, similar to their ruling planet, the Moon. Just like the Crab, these individuals are unpredictable. At one time they will come out of their shell to 'fight' and at other times, they hide deep into the same shell. Intuitive in nature, they have a deep psyche and are very sensitive. Conservative by nature, Cancerians are very loyal and compassionate to their family and friends. They are also very caring, supportive and nurturing. Cancerians dislike being ordered around and can get offended easily. They take their own time to trust a new person, whereas they can maintain long term friendships very well. One thing to be remembered while conversing with Cancerians is to balance the use of words since they can get easily hurt or offended. Cancer individuals are most compatible with Pisces and Scorpio.

Leo (July 23 - August 22)
Just like their symbol, the Lion, individuals born under the zodiac sign of Leo are ambitious and natural leaders. Mostly extroverts by nature, Leos make friends easily and can retain them for a very long time. Leos are genuine, open minded and caring when it comes to relationships. Truly committed in a relationship, they remain devoted to it. But once the relationship is broken, then they move back without a second glance. Leos appreciate followers and can never be alone. They are also very outgoing and warmhearted. At times Leos tend to go overboard and become melodramatic. If their path is crossed, they can attack menacingly but can never hold a grudge against anyone. They strongly believe in forgive and forget. Their main weakness is their pride which they protect fiercely. Though not impulsive in nature, these individuals react immediately to any situation, rather than sitting and analyzing about it. Leos can get along very well with Aries and Sagittarius like a house on fire.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
The sixth zodiac sign, Virgo is symbolized by a female. Virgos are sensitive and shy. They take their own time to open up to others, but once you have won them over, you can find a dedicated partner. Virgos are steadfast friends, who never back out in times of trouble. When in doubt or in need of advice, Virgos are excellent counselors. Their kindheartedness is sometimes manipulated by others. These individuals show strong faith even when they are let down in a relationship. They are very thoughtful and think twice before hurting someone. At times Virgos can be critical and nagging, making mountains out of molehills over petty issues. Capricorn and Taurus are compatible with Virgo.

Libra (September 23 - October 22)
The most balanced zodiac sign amongst the other signs is Libra, represented by a balance with two scales. Individuals born under this seventh astrological sign are very hospitable in nature. Being diplomats, they analyze anything and everything from another's point of view. They are easy to please and are charming and captivating. Very creative and diverse personalities, Librans love to socialize. Variety and change define a Libran's life. They are the avant garde in any creative undertaking since they have an artistic outlook for everything. Good observing skills, perception and critical ability give the Librans an upper hand in their work. They can suffer from insecurity and sometimes lack self confidence. Their other drawbacks include being thoughtless, too self absorbed and flirtatious in nature. They find their match in Aquarius and Gemini.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)
Considered to be the most powerful signs in the astrological chart, Scorpio, with the image of a scorpion ready to attack, is the eighth sign. Being fiercely independent in nature, Scorpios love to be on their own, rather than surrounded by people. These individuals are complicated and very moody. If they don't agree to anything, then it is better to leave them on their own rather than forcing it on them. They are the 'don't mess with me' kind. Scorpios are very loyal and if you gain their trust, then there's no stopping. They are very passionate about what they do. The individuals under this sign are blessed with imagination and intuition. Their egoistic and stubborn nature is their biggest drawback. Scorpios are also known to manipulate others for their own selfish motives. They also gain sadistic pleasure in certain things. Relationship with a Scorpio is similar to playing with fire, so it is important to make the right moves. When it comes to compatibility, Scorpios mix well with Cancer and Pisces.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
One word that describes the Sagittarius is independence. Armed with a positive outlook in life, Sagittarians are full of versatility, energy and eagerness to explore new horizons. If they have undertaken something, they believe in getting to the core of the matter or will not rest until then. Being good conversationalists, they are blessed with a good sense of humor and make friends very easily. They have genuine concern for others and have a caring heart. Just like the Archer, they remain focused till they hit the target. Sagittarians are tolerant and enthusiastic with an optimistic outlook. They are very straightforward and never hide anything. If something does not appeal to them, then they say it directly and don't bother to sugarcoat the words. They can be very extravagant and hotheaded. The most compatible signs are Aries and Leo.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)
One of the most stable signs of the zodiac, people belonging to the Capricorn sign are of two different types. One type is represented by the mountain goat, which is known for its determined spirit and always pursuing till it gets to the top. The other one is the garden goat, that is quite amiable and is content, budging only when pushed. However, both the types are persevering and patient in nature. Powerhouses of concentration, Capricorns can remain focused in their task till they achieve success. They analyze and survey the situation, weighing the pros and cons, before they take a step. Some of their weaknesses are that they tend to be inflexible and slave drivers at times. They dislike fantasizing and believe in professionalism. Capricorn can pair up very well with Virgo and Taurus.

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
The water bearer is very friendly, caring and genuine in nature. Aquarians display attractive and strong personalities. The individuals born under Aquarius are shy, gentle and sensitive and at the same time can be exuberant also. They can be easily befriended and are very amiable. Non conformists and mysterious, Aquarians are unique in their own way. Driven by intellect rather than emotions, these individuals like to deviate from the usual crowd and find their own path. Aquarius individuals have contradictory nature, they enjoy solitude but if they have company, they transform into social butterflies. They respect every human and are always on the forefront when it comes to humanitarian services or social gatherings. At times they can be defiant, rude and aloof, least bothered by anything. Gemini and Libra are compatible with Aquarius.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
The last sign of the zodiac circle, Pisces are the most sensitive among the zodiac signs. Pisceans dwell in two worlds - real and mystical or spiritual. Since they are very sensitive, they show extremities of emotions. Similar to their symbol (two fish; one going upward and the other heading downwards), Pisceans usually find themselves torn between two existences. They have a deep psyche, which helps them look into the eye of the matter and see into a person's deep motivations. Pisceans are resilient and can adapt very well to changing conditions. They hate being criticized and can be lazy. They also turn towards self pity, when they are unable to fulfill their desire. Being temperamental and gullible are also their drawbacks. Cancer and Scorpio signs can gel well with Pisces.

This was all about the astrological signs. Astrology is a very fascinating realm and the more you dive into it the more insights you get. Hope you found this article on astrological signs and meanings apt and interesting.

Astrology: Entertainment, or Truth?

Beliefs about astrology and horoscopes were first begun by the ancient Greeks thousands of years ago. They developed the proposition that the position of the planets around the sun had an effect on the lives of people, and future events could be predicted based on the location of the heavenly bodies. Millions of people around the world today still hold those beliefs.

The word "astrology" means "science of the stars" in the original Greek term. Astrology was employed by the Chaldeans, a society that lived in Babylon in about 3000 B.C. These are the people who first noticed that the position of the sun influences the seasons, and affects the planting cycles of agricultural pursuits. People in Asia, particularly China, later became interested and began to practice astrology.

Around the year 500 B.C., the philosopher Plato began to use astrology and study it further. His pursuits helped to keep astrology alive, and its popularity spread throughout the ages. However, when Galileo Galilei was the first sky searcher to use astrology in a telescope, in the 1500s, the popularity of astrology took a downturn. But it flourished later around 300 B.C. in Egypt. During the Middle Ages, as the Christian church grew into a powerful voice in the new world, astrology was quietly tucked away as a secret. It wasn’t until the mid-1600s, when an astrologer by the name of William Lilly gave a new name to it - "Christian Astrology" - to avoid angering the church and to make the practice more acceptable. Lilly’s actions were instrumental in popularizing horoscopes and astrology as we know it today.

Astrology and the predictions it has led people to believe have impacted formal education, printing, books, and many methods of communication. A horoscope is related to the time, date, and year of a person’s birth, as well as which of the twelve Zodiac signs that were in place when the birth occurred. The year is divided into twelve equal parts, with each part named after a constellation prevalent in the sky during that time of year. Each Zodiac sign has positive and negative characteristics that apply to the person.

The twelve horoscope signs (signs of the Zodiac) are:

   1. Aries (March 21-April 19)
   2. Taurus (April 20-May 20)
   3. Gemini (May 21-June 20)
   4. Cancer (June 21-July 22)
   5. Leo (July 23-August 22)
   6. Virgo (August 23-September 22)
   7. Libra (September 23-October 22)
   8. Scorpio (October 23-November 22)
   9. Sagittarius (November 23-December 21)
  10. Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
  11. Aquarius (January 20-February 19)
  12. Pisces (February 20-March 20)

Each sign indicates the astrological qualities and attributes a person is said to possess. For instance, the "scales" constellation of Libra is said to indicate "balance" in an individual born beneath that sign. Leo, the lion, is purported to be strong and fearless, just like a lion. Some of the Zodiac signs have characteristics that are similar or overlapping, but generally if historical records and languages are examined, there are specific attributes that have stabilized over time for each sign.

Many people think astrology and horoscopes are just fanciful, mindless entertainment. But others read their horoscope faithfully every day and their life revolves around what the stars say the future will hold for them. Who can know whether or not there is any truth to the notion that the positions of heavenly bodies control our destiny? Whether or not there is anything to be gained or lost by believing or not believing, horoscopes are fun, interesting, and may be very accurate.

The Great Compromise of 1787

Today, the Democrats and the Republicans sit pretty in both the houses of the US Congress. They decide on the issues being faced by the country and how they are going to be dealt with. However, surprisingly, the roots of the bicameral legislature in the USA were laid way back, in the late 1780's. A pivotal event, which triggered and took the concept of bicameral legislature in the USA further was the Connecticut compromise, also referred to as the Great Compromise, in the year 1787. I will try and chart the course of the Great Compromise of 1787, a path breaking happening in American history.

What Was the Great Compromise of 1787

Also known as the Connecticut Compromise or Sherman's Compromise, this compromise was mainly a mutual agreement which was reached between large and small states in the course of the Constitutional Convention in July 1787. If you are looking for a concrete the great compromise of 1787 definition, it will be slightly hard to find. This agreement, defined and mentioned in part, the legislative structure and representation each state would get as per the US constitution. Most significantly, the agreement put across the idea of a bicameral legislature, which would later lead to formation of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Roger Sherman along with Oliver Ellsworth, from the Connecticut delegation came up with a compromise for a two-housed legislature, with a lower and upper house. It actually started off in May 1787 when the Virginia delegation put across a plan for a bicameral legislature. There were a couple of plans which were which proved to be somewhat precursors of this plan. These were the Virginia Plan (Large State or Randolph Plan) and New Jersey Plan (Small State or Paterson Plan). The latter was a response to the former.

While the Virginia Plan was instrumental for its contribution in setting the agenda for debate in the convention and presenting the idea of population weighted representation, the legislative body as mentioned in the Virginia plan was used as a basis to form the United States Senate. Further, as per the New Jersey plan, the organization of the legislature was akin to that of the modern day United Nations and similar institutions. There was a debate on the compromise in the same year and 11 days post the debate on the agreement, the Great Compromise was sealed on 16 July, 1787. According to the Great Compromise of 1787, membership in the lower house was to be allocated in proportion to state population, in the interest of the larger states. Further, candidates were to be nominated and elected by the people of each state. In exchange, based on the New Jersey Plan it was decided that 2 seats would be allocated to each state, no matter what the size of the state. The state legislature will have the power to choose the members. This procedure of determining fairly the number of members of the House from each state is called "apportionment." You might want to read about compromise of 1877.

Consequences of The Great Compromise of 1787

The deliberations and discussions continued long after this agreement in 1787 concluded. Surprisingly and interestingly, it led to another compromise, the 3/5 Compromise. The issue of representation and the legislative assembly of two houses was further debated and wrangled upon with the three-fifths compromise. Within this agreement, Less populous Southern States were allowed to count three-fifths of all non-free, non-Native American people in connection with population counts and allocations.

Following the Great Compromise of 1787, a census was done in 1790, which mentioned the population of the USA to be 4 million. The house membership as of now, which is 435, was set in 1911 by the US Congress. That's it! This was all about the Great Compromise. This is where I sign off!