The Uffington Horse

Next to the Stonehenge, the Uffington Horse is probably one of the best known Tourist attractions of England. A strange, graceful figure that stands out markedly white against the backdrop of the rolling green hills of the Berkshire Downs, it is the oldest of the strange and unexplained white chalk figures found in Merrie England. Unlike the famous Wiltshire horse figures which are more or less fairly realistic and straighforward representations and moreover all face towards the left, the Uffington Horse is right-facing and is composed of stylistic curves which give it an appearance of being in motion. It does not actually look like a horse though – it has only been assumed to be so over the centuries – it might have been meant to be any other creature really.

Found about 30 miles from the city of Oxford, the Uffington Horse is carved near the top of an impressively steep escarpment that rises to the height of 856 feet. The hills are made of chalk, but in this case the Uffington Horse hasn't been carved deep enough to reveal the chalk. What the designers did instead was dig ditches that were 3 feet deep and 10 feet wide and then filled these up with chalk. The figure is 374 feet long.

The Uffington Horse is one of those interesting man-made monuments that somehow seem to have been perpetually around. It has been known to the nearby villages since time immemorial. The origins are mysterious and although various theories have been put forward regarding it, nothing definite is known about who made it and for what purpose. There is a reference to it - "the place commonly known as the White Horse Hill" - in a cartulary of the Abbey of Abingdon from between 1072 and 1084.

The Uffington Horse was originally thought to have been from the Saxon Age or the Iron Age. But more recent, more technologically advanced studies that can measure when the chalk was last exposed to light date its origins to the Bronze Age. There are some theories now that perhaps it even dated way back to the Neolithic Age, but that hasn't yet been corroborated.

There are a lot of theories about who made it. Since, like the faces and figures found in America, it is seen best when viewed from the air and can be seen only fairly or not well from the ground, there are theories about a UFO connection. Perhaps it was a signal for them or something. Why else would the ancients carve such a figure?

Other less fantastic and perhaps more plausible theories point towards its being a tribal symbol or a territory marker. Some people accord it with religious significance – as a symbol of the horse goddess who was worshipped as Epona by the Celtic Tribes of Gaul and as Rhiannon by the tribes in England. It may also have had something to do with the Sun God Belinos or Belenus, as he was also known – this might explain why it was carved so high up on the hill. Perhaps it is a fertility symbol.

Still others say that the Uffington Horse is in fact the dragon slayed by St. George on the nearby Dragon Hill. This is a small, flat-topped hill on which no grass grows – supposedly because the blood of the dragon was spilt on it and dragon blood, it is well known, offers no incentive for the growth of life forms. The Uffington Horse might also be a depiction of St. George's steed. Still other stories link the Horse to King Alfred – he may have had it carved in the hillside to commemorate his victory over the Danes in 871. Still other claims link it to the leader of the Fifth Century A.D. Anglo-Saxon hordes, Hengist. There are even some wags who claim it was just somebody prehistoric being abstractly expressive.

The White Horse was over the centuries cared for by the nearby villagers. This was known as Scouring and they turned that into a three day festive occasion in which many other fun and sporting activities also took place – rolling wheels of cheese down the hill, wrestling, and so on. Now the Uffington Horse is cared for by the English Heritage Foundation. Every seven years the chalk outlines are divested of the overgrown and the borders are smoothed. These days it seems the chalk is getting spoiled due to pollution.

The Uffington Horse can be visited anytime and there is no charge. Also worth visiting are the Uffington Castle, Wayland's Smithy, the Manger, and the Ridgeway. The Uffington Castle, excavated in 1850, is a really grand name for what is in actuality a grassy knoll with raised mounds and ditches around it. In the Iron Age, when it was built, it was bolstered by timber and sarcen stones. It is probable that it was the Tribe that lived here that carved the Uffington Horse – probably the Dobunni Tribe, going by the Iron Age coin that was found here. Wayland's Smithy, first a megalithic burial place and later an elaborate, chambered tomb, is named after the Scandinavian God Wodin. According to folklore if an unshod horse is tethered outside it and fetched a few hours later, it is found to have been newly shod. The Manger is the hillside down which the Cheese was rolled – it is thought to have been formed in the Ice Age and certainly has strange fold shapes. It is of special importance to the Uffington Horse, who supposedly goes to feed there on moonlit nights. The nearby Ridgeway is one of the most ancient routes of the world and stretches across the crest of the hills to join with the Icknield Way and the Wessex Ridgeway and form an almost continuous path all the way to East Anglia.

Also worth visiting are the Great Coxwell and the town of Wantage. The first is the best preserved and most grandly constructed example of the Medieval English Tithe Barn, and the latter, a wonderfully old-fashioned town, is the birthplace of Alfred the Great.

People less interested in history are sure to be enthralled by the magnificent scenery and the exhilarating local pursuit of kite flying on breezy, windy days.

England Celebrates Its Past with The Festival of History

Historical re-enactments are far from a new phenomenon. In the Middle Ages, many European villages enjoyed an abundance of mock tournament and other displays of chivalric skills that still remain quite popular today. Ancient Roman emperors took pride in restaging historical battles in which they had emerged victorious, often using the re-enactments as an excuse to have gladiator contests. Religious customs and stories have traditionally been presented as re-enactments, such as the passion plays that are the restaging of the most climactic episode in the history of Christianity. And the pageantry of Victorian-era military re-enactments is legendary.

Just as the popularity of historical re-enactments has spread, so has the intricacy and accuracy of the proceedings. In the United States, military re-enactments really took off in the 1960s as a result of centennial celebrations of the end of the Civil War. Now historical re-enactments are a multimillion-dollar industry in the United States, and in 1998, as many as 25,000 living historians gathered to restage the battle of Gettysburg, in the largest re-enactment ever held.

Historical re-enactments have been performed through the ages in the name of national pride, and Great Britain is no exception. Known as "living history," "historical interpretation," or "public history," such re-enactments of famous episodes and circumstances in various historical periods have been one of the favorite pastimes of the British. According to Rachel Evans, editor if Skirmish, a magazine for re-enactment enthusiasts, "There are indications that it may be the fastest growing hobby in the country." The first modern re-enactment society in Britain, the Sealed Knot, was formed in 1968 to produce and put on re-enactments of the English civil war. That same year, British enthusiasts of the American Civil War formed the Southern Skirmish Association. Later, in 1971, another group of re-enactors formed the Sabre Society to present re-enactments of battles that took place during the Napoleonic era. Some of its members seceded in 1976 and developed their own splinter re-enactment group, the Napoleonic Association.

Historical re-enactors all across Britain come together once a year to compare techniques, learn new ones, and put on demonstrations of their abilities, including cooking, music, and weaponry. At the annual Festival of History, the air is thick with the aroma of spit-roasted meats and acrid gunpowder smoke. Women and men dressed in period costumes roam the premises to help visitors immerse themselves in the feeling of living in various historical periods, despite the anachronisms that abound, such as portable toilets and mounted speakers loudly barking out excited blow-by-blow accounts of an 1812 battle being waged on the grassy arena between British and French infantry brigades. This year’s festival was held over a rainy mid-August weekend on the grounds of a stately Northamptonshire home. The event gathered together nearly a thousand professional re-enactors and attracted over 17,000 visitors. The increasing popularity of the annual festival illustrates the growing interest of the general public in the re-enactment of British history.

Today there are over 700 different living history groups in Great Britain representing a wide variety of historical eras from the Saxon era to the Vietnam war. The uniqueness of each group’s specific focus is mind-boggling. "Pretty much all periods have been covered," says Evans, "although there are new groups being created all the time, whenever there's an anniversary."

The Great Fire of London : Rebuilding Act 1666-67

The Great Fire of London lasted from Sunday, 2 September 1666 to Wednesday, 5 September 1666. The medieval City of London in the old Roman City Wall was affected by this. The fire was close to the aristocratic district of Westminster, Charles II's Palace of Whitehall and many suburban slums. Approximately 87 parish churches, 13200 houses, St. Paul's Cathedral and many buildings of the City authorities were affected. About 80000 inhabitants were destroyed by this fire.

Great Fire of London 1666

The fire began at the bakery of Thomas Farriner in Pudding Lane just after midnight on Sunday, 2 September and spread very fast. The creation of firebreaks was the major firefighting technique at that time. Lord Mayor of London, Sir Thomas Bloodworth delayed the use of this technique. On Sunday night, large scale demolitions were put into effect. By this time, the wind had raised the bakery fire into a firestorm. Due to this, the above measures were not effective. On Monday, the fire progressed towards the North in the heart of the City. There were rumors that foreigners had set fires in the City. The suspicion was on the French and the Dutch. These were England's enemies in the Second Anglo-Dutch War. These immigrant groups were subjected to street violence and mob attacks. On Tuesday, the fire destroyed St. Paul's Cathedral and tried to hamper Charles II's court at Whitehall. The attempts to extinguish the fire was successful due to two reasons: the strong east winds subsided and the Tower of London garrison utilized gunpowder to have efficient firebreaks.

Many London houses were made of wood and pitch construction and could be easily lit. Due to this, the fire spread very fast. This fire spread across the hay and feed piles on the yard of the Star Inn at Fish Street Hill and then moved across the Inn. The strong wind that existed that night caused sparks to travel in such a way that they ignited the Church of St. Margaret. It then spread to Thames Street. Here, the riverside warehouses and wharves contained oil, hay, coal, hemp, spirits, timber that served to intensify the flames. The citizen firefighting brigades were not much successful in controlling the fire using the water from the river. At about eight o'clock in the morning, the fire had engulfed half of the London Bridge. The fire of 1633 had created a gap that prevented the fire from reaching Southwark. The standard process was to destroy the houses in the direction of the flames. Such firebreaks deprived the fire from any sort of fuel. However, Lord Mayor Bludworth pondered on the cost of rebuilding and was very hesitant for such a step.

The Rebuilding Act 1667

Christopher Wren designed a excellent plan that had grand boulevard's and buildings. Those people who had land aimed at retaining it or selling it at a correct price. The 1667 Rebuilding Act was decided by a special commission made by the King and enforced by an act of Parliament. The main roads were widened and the size of the buildings were subject to officially determined dimensions. The thickness of wall, limits on storeys and types of material were all planned. The King and London Corporation finalized three grand structures to exhibit to the world how London had bounced back. The Royal Exchange and a new Customs House had crucial economic functions. The Monument had sixty-two meters of Doric column with a sculpted flaming top. Wren became reputed as the architect who created London as he included fifty-one churches and a new St. Paul's Cathedral. A Fire Court dealt with many cases to consider arguments concerning the fire and smoothened the reconstruction.

The Great Plague: "Ring-A-Ring Of Roses"

Without a doubt the greatest tragedy to ever hit Europe, greater then any war where man went against man….this was the war where man fought an enemy that he did not see and did not understand.

Some people blamed it on their livestock, others believed that it was a "miasmas" of infected air that floated around…some said it was the wrath of an angry God against sin….they did not know. What had happened in fact, was that merchant men came from China, on the of board their ships were rats and those of course had fleas…these fleas were different though, these fleas had bacillus; it only takes four to eight bacillus to kill a rat; a flea can transmit up to 24,000 in one bite…the merchants arrived in Italy and the war began.

It is estimated that over one third of Europe’s population died in the 1300’s…so many people falling victim to their unseen enemy. Many years later in 1665 London had become a big and prosperous city, the population had tripled in the last five years; housing was cramped and there was no where to throw out trash and human waste, the only place to throw such things was the street, making the perfect living and breeding conditions for rats; rats that carries a lot of fleas that had the bacillus.

People started dying of the Plague and those who had the right kind of money fled the infested city and moved to the country where there was a much smaller chance of getting the disease. There was a nursery rhyme that described the symptoms and the beliefs of the people at the time….a rather sordid thing to teach your children actually.

"Ring-a-ring of roses,
A pocketful of posies’
Attischo, Attischo,
We all fall down."

The roses are describing the large red swelling of the lymph nodes, the posies refer to the fact that many people believed that there was a large cloud of miasmas, infected air that would make you sick if you breathed it in; the posies had a pleasant smell that was supposed to hold the infected air away. Before death, a person would experience a violent coughing fit after which death moved in to claim his victim. Many people were too weak to get to the coughing part and they would suffer a much quicker and more merciful death.

It was the poor people of London who suffered the most from the plague, probably because of the fact that living conditions were perfect for the rat population in such areas.

People who became victims of the plague were locked into their houses with their entire family; the door would get a big red cross painted on it to tell everyone what happened, showing that the place was infected. Guards were placed at the doors of such houses to make sure that nobody came out of the house until the appropriate amount of time had gone by.

The families that had enough money to pay had "nurses" come to the house and bring food, although there are reports of these so called nurses stealing more then anything else. There were really no qualified doctors or nurses in London at the time because they had all left the city in an attempt to escape death…the doctors and nurses serving the people were nothing more then people hired to do a job that they were not qualified for and that they had no way of winning.

So it went on and on all that year in 1665, until winter came and brought some relief because the rats had a much harder time surviving during the winter then in the summer, the disease was not fully taken care of until the Great Fire of London that swept through the poor parts of the city and cleansed away the dirt and filth…at the rebuilding of London the streets were wider and there was a greater air of spaciousness…..a battle had been fought and a war had been won, the people had won the battle against an unseen enemy. God was no longer pouring His wrath over the people of England, and they could live in peace and happiness.

The Victorian Parlor

By Earl Hunsinger

In the Victorian Era, when a young man had an interest in a young lady, he asked if he could call on her. This may be a foreign concept to the younger generation. Maybe I should explain. He didn’t text message her. He didn’t ask for her phone number. He asked whether he could call on her at her home. This involved coming to her house, sitting a modest distance away from the young lady, and conversing politely, perhaps in the presence of a chaperone. Often this was done in a room of the house called the parlor. This was appropriate, since the English word parlor comes from a French word that means "to speak."

In Victorian times, the parlor was the best room of the house, reserved for special occasions, or special visitors, such as the aforementioned suitor. It contained family photographs and other treasured possessions. It might have contained an organ or piano. Vases, statuettes, lamps, and dried flowers would have revealed the family’s social position and taste. The parlor table would have proudly displayed the family Bible. The furniture, while the nicest that the family could afford, was made for looks rather than comfort.

During the nineteenth century, people found that they had more leisure time than previous generations had enjoyed. This led to the creation of various forms of recreation, including games played indoors. Since these were often played in the family parlor, they became known as parlor games. Some of these involved logic or word play. Others relied on dramatic skill, such as in charades. Formal musical recitals could also have been held in the parlor.

Often, the family parlor was also used for a custom that many today would find strange, even macabre. When a family member died, they were laid out in the parlor. Neighbors and friends would bring food and pay their respects. In some areas, they would have a wake or stay up all night with the body.

The twentieth century brought changes in practically every aspect of society. Radio, movies, and eventually television changed the way families viewed entertainment. Rather than converse and interact with family and friends, they began to sit passively and absorb whatever was presented. Funeral customs also changed. People began to take their loved ones to professional funeral parlors rather than lay them out themselves.

As the world changed, parlors began to be used less and less. Or, perhaps it would be more correct to say that they either died or their use began to change. One option when customs changed was to just get rid of the parlor. Why build a house with a room that was never used? If you already had a parlor, why not turn it into something else? The other option was to change the way you thought of the parlor. To encourage this, and in an attempt to erase the picture of its other use, the term living room began to be promoted. Comfortable furniture began to replace showpieces and the family began to use the room for less formal purposes.

Today, few remember the days of the parlor. Usually the word is only associated with ice cream parlors, beauty parlors, and, of course, funeral parlors. While probably few would desire to return to the days of home wakes, the parlor games and formal, not to mention modest, courting of the Victorian Era certainly had a charm that’s missing in today’s world.

Taking a Bath in Roman England

By Earl Hunsinger

Imagine going to town to take a bath. For centuries that was a common practice for many people. This took many forms, from a simple basin of water placed near a place used for exercise to an elaborate facility complete with carved stone fountains and pools deep enough for total immersion. The customs involved also varied over the centuries, from a simple and practical way of cleansing the body to ritualized, religious, or social customs taking all day. In some places and times strict segregation of the sexes was enforced; in other instances mixed bathing by men, women, and children seems to have been the common practice.

In addition to bathing in water, some public bath houses included steam baths and saunas. In some eras bathing was encouraged and people washed daily. At other times and in other cultures, bathing was connected with sin, or frowned upon for other reasons, and so was less frequent. Public bathing seems to have begun in Greece sometime in the sixth century B.C.E. The Romans later adopted the practice, building bath houses all over their widespread empire. One of the most famous of these Roman bath houses can be found in what is now Great Britain, in the city of Bath.

The Roman baths in Bath, England have been called the best preserved religious spa from the ancient world. The baths found here are built around a natural hot spring that the Romans believed were sacred (some believe that the native peoples before them also viewed them as sacred). It’s easy to see why the ancients were impressed by this site. For at least the last couple of thousand years, water has been rising from the ground here at the rate of about 240,000 gallons per day. This water is approximately 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 Celsius), just the right temperature for a bath. To catch the sacred water, the Romans first drove oak piles into the mud for a foundation. Roman engineers then built a stone tank around the spring and lined it with lead. Eventually they constructed a building around it. This building had a barrel vaulted roof and was decorated with stone columns and statues. This was the Temple of Sulis Minerva. The Romans would come here and throw offerings into the water for this goddess. Although eventually the roof collapsed (perhaps in the sixth or seventh century), the oak piles are still providing a stable foundation for the reservoir.

The hot water from the sacred spring also made possible the bath complex found here. This is much bigger than would have been needed by the local people, but there is evidence that it was popular with pilgrims from all parts of the Roman empire. It was also different in another way: it used a tremendous amount of hot water. Normally, hot water was expensive to produce. In a typical Roman bath, a person would move through a series of heated rooms that would get progressively hotter. Rather than using soap, the Romans rubbed olive oil on their skin. Then when a good sweat was worked up, a tool called a strigil was used to scrape the oil, sweat, and dirt off the body. This "bath" would usually end with a plunge into a pool of cold water.

In other places the bathing sequence might also include a dip into a small pool of heated water. In the facilities found in Bath, this was expanded so much as to be almost unrecognizable as the same experience. Just as with other Roman baths, archaeologists have found evidence of progressively hotter rooms at this facility. Series of these can be found on both the east and west sides of the complex, perhaps enabling both men and women to use the baths at the same time. However, in addition to these traditional bathing facilities, the ready source of free hot water allowed the Romans to create a large heated swimming pool. Known today as the Great Bath, this was lined with 45 thick sheets of lead and is 1.6 meters deep. Niches around this large pool would have allowed bathers to relax and possibly even enjoy drinks or snacks. An enormous barrel-vaulted ceiling once rose forty meters above the water. For some in the Roman empire, this might have been the largest building they had ever entered.

One of the most fascinating things about the bathing facilities found in Bath is the durability of the engineering involved. Just as with the Roman roads still found throughout Europe, in Bath the Roman engineers built things to last. While parts of the building have collapsed over the centuries, the plumbing and drainage systems are still largely in place, still fulfilling the duties for which they were designed by those ancient engineers.

So the next time you’re in western England, why not stop and see this piece of history for yourself and see why people in past centuries went to town (or across a continent) to take a bath.

Britain Publishes Blacklist of Those Not Welcome in UK

The British government published a "blacklist" on Tuesday, a list of individuals who have been officially banned from the country. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith noted that she decided to publish what she called the "name and shame list" to indicate specifically the type of behavior that will not be tolerated in Great Britain. Said Smith, "I think it’s important that people understand the sorts of values and sorts of standards that we have here, the fact that it’s a privilege to come and the sort of things that mean you won’t be welcome in this country."

Smith went on to say that, "If you can’t live by the rules that we live by, we should exclude you from this country and, what’s more, now we will make public those people that we have excluded." The Home Office has excluded 22 people for what they refer to as "fostering extremism or hatred." Among those on the list are Hamas lawmaker Yunis Al-Astal, Jewish extremist Mike Guzovsky, former KKK leader Stephen Donald Black, neo-Nazi Erich Gliebe and American radio host Michael Savage.

Savage may be the most interesting among the bunch, though likely not the most extreme. Smith noted that Savage has been "engaging in unacceptable behavior by seeking to provoke others to serious criminal acts and fostering hatred which might lead to inter-community violence." In an official statement to Parliament, Smith also noted, "It is therefore right that we have an ongoing engagement with interested parties in order to strike the appropriate balance and ensure we protect public safety and vital national interests here and abroad. Therefore my officials will continue to engage with community representatives to seek their views on the way this policy is operating."

Haunted Places in England

We are surrounded by both positive and negative energies. Positive energies provide us with an environment where we tend to believe in the miracles of nature. The presence of positive energies around us makes us appreciate the beauty of nature and marvel at the wonders of the world. This positive element renders a heavenly appeal to certain locations on earth. But there are instances, when the negatives dominate the positives and influence the people they surround. The negative forces are many a times, responsible for creating a haunted feeling in the atmosphere. They can overpower the positivity in our minds and compel us to believe in the negative, scary and paranormal elements in nature.

Haunted locations are believed to be haunted with ghosts or other supernatural beings. Perhaps, the negative energies acting in such locations give them an aura of fright and horror. There are many haunted places around the world. They are ‘infamously famous’ for housing horror! Let us look at some of the haunted places in England.

Haunted Places in England

Pluckley, in Kent, is regarded as the most haunted destination in England. The ghosts such as a phantom coach and horses, a highwayman and a colonel are believed to appear in this village. In 1998, this village was enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Records, as the most haunted village in England.

50 Berkeley Square is famous, as the most haunted house in England. Haunted houses are considered as centers of supernatural or paranormal occurrences. They are believed to contain ghosts, poltergeists and demons.

Airfields, which surround England, include the RAF Bircham Newton in Norfolk, the RAF East Kirkby in Lincolnshire, the RAF Elsham Wolds and the former RAF Tibenham in Norfolk. It is believed that the ghosts of the martyrs of the Second World War inhabit the airfield areas. Paranormal activity is believed to occur in the surroundings of the airfields.

Closed-circuit television that uses video cameras to transmit signals had once captured a white figure near Belgrave Hall in Leicester. Some believe that the white figure was the ghost of the daughter of one of the former owners of the house.

The very famous, Windsor Castle, has been home for the royal families of Britain, for 1000 long years. People claim to have seen the spirit of Queen Elizabeth I in this castle. They have also reported to have seen Anne Boleyn, the mother of the queen, run across the corridors in the castle. Other ghosts seen in the castle include King George VI, William Gladstone and Andrew, Duke of York.

Bomere Pool, located near the village of Bayston Hill, is believed to house an old ghost of a Roman soldier. People report of seeing him on Easter Day, every year, in search of his love.

The main criminal court in London, known as the Old Bailey, is another famous, haunted place in England. Judges, lawyers and policemen have reported to have seen a ghostly figure appear in the court on the days of important trials.

These were some of the haunted locations in England. The locals of England know the haunted places better. You can choose to believe in the sightings of ghosts or disregard their existence. Some of you, I am sure, would want to visit these haunted locations and see the ghostly beings in action!

British Bill of Rights 1689

The British Bill of Rights officially titled An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown is an act of the Parliament of England and one of the foundations on which British constitutional law was laid.

After King James II abdicated his throne, following the Glorious Revolution, a statutory form of Declaration of Rights was presented to William and Mary in February 1689, by the Convention Parliament, inviting them to become joint sovereigns of the kingdoms of England and Scotland. King William III and his wife Mary II (daughter of King James II) were the only joint sovereigns in British history to have ruled with equal powers. In December 1689, the Bill of Rights was passed by the Britain Parliament. The Bill was prepared with the aim of ensuring certain rights to which citizens and permanent residents would be entitled to. It also included the right to bear arms for self defense and right to petition the monarchy.

British Bill of Rights 1689
The Bill of Rights declared illegal certain acts enacted by James II, which were deemed unfit for the new constitution. Following are some of the basic rights and liberties specified in the Bill of Rights:

British Bill of Rights 1689
Law	Explanation
That it is the right of the subjects to petition the king, and all commitments and prosecutions for such petitioning are illegal	The right to petition (call upon) the monarchy.
That the pretended power of suspending the laws or the execution of laws by regal authority without consent of Parliament is illegal.	Freedom from the crown's interference with the law.
That the commission for erecting the late Court of Commissioners for Ecclesiastical Causes, and all other commissions and courts of like nature, are illegal and pernicious.	The sovereign cannot unilaterally establish new courts, act as a judge or influence the independent jury.
That the raising or keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with consent of Parliament, is against law.	Freedom from a peace-time standing army, which meant, an agreement of parliament was mandatory before the army could be moved against citizens, when not at war.
That levying money for or to the use of the Crown by pretense of prerogative, without grant of Parliament, for longer time, or in other manner than the same is or shall be granted, is illegal.	No taxes (existing and new) could be levied by the royal sovereign without the Parliaments approval and agreement.
That the subjects which are Protestants may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law.	The right to bear arms (only protestants) for self defense, in accordance to its said law.
That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.	Freedom from excessive bail, harsh, cruel and unusual punishments.
That all grants and promises of fines and forfeitures of particular persons before conviction are illegal and void.	Freedom from forfeiture and fines, without a trial.
That election of members of Parliament ought to be free.	The right to democratically elect members of parliament without interference from the royalty.
That the freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament.	The right to free speech and debates for all citizens. The proceedings in parliament can not be questioned in a court of law or by anybody outside of parliament itself.

King John's Magna Carta and the British Bill of Rights, formed the basis of many other constitutional drafts such as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, the United States Bill of Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Bill of Rights also applies to each of the jurisdictions of all 16 sovereign states within the realms of Commonwealth Nations. The Bill of Rights underwent amendments over the years, but the basic tenets of securing and ensuring rights and liberties to all English citizens, remains the same till today.

Biggest Houses in The World

How does one define a house? According to the wordnetweb online dictionary, house is defined as a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families. Thanks to my conditioning and an education that was steeped in the use of idioms and phrases from centuries ago, my mind swirls with sentences found on doormats and tiny showpieces displayed in mobile houses, like, Home is where the heart is, and East or west, home is the best and then I remembered something I read in the Sunday section of the newspaper attributed to Charles Swindoll, "No price tag can adequately reflect its value," (the its being home). But sorry Mr. Swindoll, price tags matter, at least when you are talking about the biggest houses in the world, after all real estate is never cheap.

The house that tops the list of the biggest houses in the world is in royal hands, literally! Windsor Castle in Berkshire, one of the official residences of the British royal family, is the biggest house in the world, which is inhabited. Along with Buckingham Palace in London and Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, it is the third official residence of the monarch. It was in 1952 that Queen Elizabeth II decided to make the Windsor Castle, her official weekend retreat. Today it is used for many official banquets and parties. There have been rumors that once Prince Charles ascends the throne, Windsor Castle may become the royal court.

History of Windsor Castle

The Windsor Castle built at the spot, where earlier stood the Manor of Clewer, which belonged to King Harold Godwinson. King Harold lost the Manor when he was defeated and killed while fighting a war for England against William the Conquerer. It was he who built the first castle made from wood at the site, where the present day Windsor Castle stands. In the 14th century, King Edward III started rebuilding the castle with stone. This construction of the Windsor Castle took almost 24 years. William of Wykeham was give the responsibility of overlooking the reconstruction of the castle.

After that several monarchs kept adding structures to the castle and restoring structures which were in need of repair. It was in the 1500's when the plague hit London that Queen Elizabeth I moved to the Windsor Castle. After the English Civil War in the 17th century, the castle became the headquarters for the Cromwell army. After monarchy was restored in 1660, the royals spent a lot of time and money restoring the Windsor Castle and made it one of their official residences.

Facts About Windsor Castle

There are fourteen important structures that form the core of Windosr Castle. These structures are listed below:

    * The Round Tower
    * The Quadrangle
    * The State Apartments
    * Private Apartments
    * South Wing
    * Lower Ward
    * St. George's Chapel
    * Horseshoe Cloister
    * King Henry VIII Gate
    * The Long Walk
    * Norman Gate
    * North Terrace
    * Edward III Tower
    * The Curfew Tower

The Windsor Castle occupies an area of almost 13 acres and has a square feet area of almost 45,000 square meters. The castle has almost 1000 rooms and is not only the largest inhabited castle in the world but is also one of the only castles in the world that has been constantly occupied since the middle ages. When the Queen is residing in the Windsor Castle, the Royal Standard is unfurled at the Round Tower. The rest of the time, the Union Jack flies at the castle. The entire castle was remodeled starting 1824, for a period of 12 years, under the supervision of architect Jeffry Wyatville. There are only two royals who have been born in the Windsor Castle, one being Edward III and the other, King Henry VI. Being the top at the list of the biggest houses in the world does not come at an easy price. In 1192, after being ravaged by a fire that broke out in the Queen's private chapel, destroying almost 9000 sq ft of the the castle, a whopping 37 million pounds was spent on restoring the castle. 70% of this damage was paid for by opening the state rooms of Buckingham Palace to the general public for the first time.

Another house that has been contesting for the title of the largest house in the world is the home of Sultan of Brunei. The Palace of Faith Light as the palace is known is situated south of Brunei's capital, Bandar Segi Begawan, on an area of 2,152,782 square feet, has five swimming pools and was built in 1984 at the cost of USD 1.4 billion. Soon to make its spot at the top of the list of most expensive houses in the world is the 27 story building, Antilla, that is going to be home to Mukesh Ambani, the Indian billionaire and his family. Antilla, which is being built in downtown Mumbai, is expected to cost around USD 2 billion on completion. But if there is any country that tops the list of countries having the biggest houses in the world, the honor would go to Australia. A recent report from the Australia Bureau of Statistics revealed that Australians while building new homes opted for houses that were bigger in area than anywhere else in the world. The average floor are of a new house in Australia has reached 214.6 square meters. Most house owners are now opting for houses that have four or five bedrooms and even an entertainment center.

So, there you have it; the biggest houses in the world include Windsor Castle and Palace of Faith Light. Charles Dudley Warner once said, "No man but feels more of a man in the world if he have but a bit of ground that he can call his own." Well if that is true, I wonder how the owners of the biggest houses in the world feel.

Facts about England

England is a country which is located in the north-western side of Europe. England is situated on the island of Great Britain which is made up of three countries; England, Wales and Scotland. England is the second largest country on the island, it has been a formalized nation since 55 BC when it was invaded by the Romans. However, it's still unclear whether Julius Caesar who was the then Roman monarch extended his rule over England. Sources claim though that the first official ruler of England was King Egbert. Want to know some more amazing England facts and information. Let's have a look.

Interesting Facts about England

The neighboring countries of England to the north and to the west are Scotland and Wales, which surrounds it from the east.

The first public zoo was opened in England in 1829. This zoo was also the world's first zoo.

Though it sounds very weird, animals in medieval England were tried and convicted based on their bad deeds.

In the year 1880 England published it's first telephone directory. The directory contained 25 names.

To see a rise in the silk industry, King James I of England imported more than 10,000 mulberry trees. Unfortunately the trees that he ordered were of the wrong kind and couldn't serve as food for the silk worms.

If you love history then it's a good idea to travel to England in the spring. Routes of the Roman army can be seen through the south of England by following the trail of white blossoms on wild cherry trees.

One of the main reasons for Romans to invade ancient England were the delicious Colchester oysters.

The first hot chocolate store in England was started by a Frenchman in early 1600's. After 100 years, hot chocolate became so popular that you could find a hot chocolate shop in every corner of England.

One of the most interesting facts about England culture is the age of Windsor castle. It's said to be the largest royal home in the world and it's also the oldest royal home which is still in use.

Beer was served complimentary with breakfast in medieval England.

One of the most fun facts about England for kids is about Valentine's day. Her majesty Queen Victoria loved Valentine's day cards. In fact when she was ruling, she used to send more than 2500 cards every year.

Pleasant and irregular are two words which are used to describe the weather of England. One minute it's gorgeous sunshine and the next minute it becomes dark and cloudy. Even on hot summer days you will often see people take a coat because of the unpredictable nature of the weather. This unpredictability of England's weather makes it extremely interesting and a topic of discussion.

There is no government especially for England and it hasn't been since 1707. The main government seated in London is in fact the government of UK. The current prime minister of England is David Cameron.

The Queen Elizabeth II of England is actually the head of the state and not the head of the country.

The English are just crazy about their tea. They consume tea more than anyone in this world. Although tea is a popular beverage in American culture also, the English consume it about 20 times more.

In the year 1752, England and the rest of the United Kingdom adopted the Gregorian calender even though it was termed as impractical by the rest of the world.

The country of England is home to more than 300 different languages.

In the summer of 2003, England suffered from a heat wave which made the temperature rise up to 100 degrees. This was the first time that England saw such a drastic rise in its temperature.

One of the most interesting facts about England is that the flag of England is called the Union Flag when it's on land, and Union Jack when it's being used on a sea vessel.

Newton is the most popular name for an English town. You will find more than 150 towns which are called Newton.

The National Health Service in England is the third largest employer in the world. The first being China's Red Army and the second spot is taken by the Indian Railways.

The tower which contains the four clocks is not called the Big Ben. Big Ben is the name of the bell inside the tower. The entire building is known as St. Stephen's Tower.

It's well known that Athelhampton is one of the most famous haunted places in England. What they don't know is that the house is haunted by two men and an ape.

So these were some interesting facts about England. The above mentioned are not the only ones, there are many more to cover. Unfortunately I am short on time, so if you think you can add some more interesting pieces to this puzzle please leave your comments.

Why Other Children are Rejecting Your Child

Introduction

Developing healthy peer relationships is critical for the normal development of a child. Peer relationships have been found to be an important predictor of positive adult adjustment and behavior. Difficulty in finding friends leads to feelings of low self-esteem and these feelings usually continue into adulthood.

Children with poor social skills are at risk for delinquency, academic underachievement, and school drop-out. Even though the inattentiveness, impulsiveness, and restlessness frequently persist into adult life, these problems are of less importance as the child gets older. Rather, the main difficulty ADHD patients encounter as
they reach maturity is their inability to interact appropriately with others.

ADHD children often lack the social skills that are essential to success in life. These children can be socially inept, and their lack of interpersonal skills may cause them a multitude of difficulties.In addition, positive relationships with friends in childhood provide a critical buffer against stress and help to protect against psychological and psychiatric problems. ADHD children lack these positive interactions and thus are at risk for
a number of emotional problems.

Probably 60% of ADHD children suffer from peer rejection. ADHD children are less often chosen by peers to be best friends, partners in activities, or seatmates. As the children grow older, their social problems seem to get worse. Their inappropriate behavior leads to further social rejection and exacerbates their inability to relate to others appropriately. Long term these children are more likely to have difficulty finding and maintaining
successful careers. This is not surprising since social aptitude can make or break careers and relationships in the adult world.

Causes of Poor Peer Relationships

ADHD children are frequently disliked or neglected by their peers. It is difficult to determine all the factors that make a child unpopular, but children who frequently display aggressive or negative behavior tend to be rejected by their peers.

Impulsivity and Aggression

ADHD children tend to be more impulsive and aggressive than other children. Teachers observe that the social interactions of ADHD children more often involve fighting and interrupting others. These children are more intense than others and behave inappropriately in social contexts. For example, ADHD children are more likely to yell, run around and talk at unsuitable times. They also tend to want to dominate play, engage in off task behaviors and engage more in teasing and physical jostling of peers.This sets up a process of peer rejection.

Academic Problems

ADHD children often do not do well in school. Poor school performance by itself does not result in social rejection. However, the way the child responds to his academic difficulties can contribute to inappropriate social behavior. Children who cannot engage themselves with classroom work assignments often
disrupt and irritate their peers.

Inattention

ADHD children have difficulty with sustained attention. Deficit in attention seems to be related to peer rejection independently of the aggressive, impulsive,and hyperactive behaviors of ADHD children. These children become bored more easily than other children. As a result, they are more likely to become disruptive in the classroom.

ADHD children have difficulty in modulating their behavior and changing their conduct as the situation demands. They have apparent social-cognitive deficits that limit their ability to encode and recall rules of social cues. Children with ADHD pay less attention to others verbally in games and other activities.

Many ADHD children are aware that they are socially inept. Children who are anxious or fearful about peer relations are unlikely to behave in an effective manner. These children withdraw from peer interactions and, in this way, limit their ability to gain acceptance and friendship.

Children are rejected by peers when they appear to be different. Similarity fosters social acceptance. Because ADHD children do not learn social clues as well as other children, they tend to be viewed as strange.

Bad Behavior

One of the keys to your child's social success is proper behavior. If your ADHD or ODD child frequently misbehaves, it is your obligation as a parent to teach your child how to improve his behavior.

If your child is aggressive or defiant, if he does not accept the authority of adults, or if he conducts himself in a such a way that children his age will view him as a behavior problem, then your child will have a difficult time making and maintaining friendships. The friends he will attract are other aggressive problem children, the type of child with whom which you would rather your child not associate.

All children need friends. Behavior problem children have trouble making friends with others, so these children tend to congregate together. They reinforce each other's bad behavior. If you are an aware parent and you have control of your child you can put a stop to friendships with these children. However, you must have control of your child's behavior in order to help him to avoid the trap of bad friends.

Conclusion

Helping children with ADHD build close peer relationships is an important goal to focus on, and is one that often may be over looked. You, as a parent, have the ability to help your child accomplish this important social goal. You should make every effort to help your child in this area. His psychological health and his happiness, both now and in the future, are very much dependent upon how successful he is at making and maintaining
childhood friendships.


Anthony Kane, MD

ADD ADHD Advances

http://addadhdadvances.com

Anthony Kane, MD is a physician and international lecturer who has been helping parents of children with ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder online since 2003. Get help with Oppositional Defiant Disorder child behavior (http://addadhdadvances.com/ODD.html), help with defiant teens (http://addadhdadvances.com/ntpcentral.html ) ADHD treatment (http://addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html ) and ADHD information.

Fidgeting in Children

The 'act of moving about restlessly' or 'the behavior of being continually in motion' is termed as fidgeting. When a person cannot sit still and constantly moves in his or her seat, holding something, playing with something around, he or she is called fidgety. Fidgeting in children is a common phenomenon, because children are full of energy and love moving their bodies. The child may fidget with anything right from hair, fingers, clothing or items on the table. Bouncing one's legs repeatedly while sitting is also fidgeting. Often parents receive complaints from school teachers that their children are fidgeting in classes, which causes them to worry. However, should fidgeting in children be a cause of concern?

Fidgeting in Children: No Need to Worry

Fidgeting in children can be an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptom. However, it is important to note that all children exhibiting fidgeting are not suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This is a common mis-diagnosis that happens. One cannot label every child who fidgets in class as a classic type of ADHD. Sometimes, the lack of challenge for certain gifted boys and girls at school makes them fidget in class. They may find what is happening in class too dull or boring for them and this leads them to fidget in class.

Some kids have a genetic disposition to fidget and tend to move around more than other kids. They are constantly moving and are mostly unaware of this habit of theirs. Instead of worrying about this habit and giving them unnecessary punishments, it is advised to accept this nature of theirs and allow them to fidget. While teaching them often parents feel they are not concentrating to what's being taught, however, check their comprehension after the conversation. They actually manage to concentrate despite all the wiggling and fidgeting.

Allow fidgety kids to have something in their hands or laps while teaching them. This keeps them calmer and happier. Just make sure the items you give them to fidget with are light in weight and also do not create any kind of racket. Encourage such children to express themselves in positive manners, that is allow them to play with an object without disrupting the class or hurling the object at somebody else.

Psychologists found that children who were permitted to move their hands freely were able to learn faster than other children who were prohibited from doing so. The various hand movements help kids think, learn and speak. They say that teachers should allow children to fidget in class, because this helps them learn more.

How to Stop Fidgeting

Although there is no way to completely do away with fidgeting, one can minimize fidgeting to some extent. Teachers and psychologists are always on the look out for new ways to stop kids from fidgeting in class and concentrate on what's being taught. Some teachers brought in stability balls in their classrooms and had children sit on them instead of chairs during class. They found that this change reduced the amount of fidgeting considerably in class. However, since long term use of stability balls result in bad posture, the students are made to get up and stretch after every half an hour. This idea has reduced the amount of wiggling and slouching in class, because the child can bounce on the ball, move a little, etc. while sitting on the ball. Providing a stimulating environment for the child will help reduce the amount of fidgeting around. Even holding and squeezing a stress ball during class will help the kids.

Unless fidgeting causes distress to others or turns to agitation, there is no need to worry about it. Fidgeting in children is not such a bad thing. Help the kids redirect their energies and you will find them responding better to what they are being taught.

ADD Symptoms in Women

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a term used to define a condition where the person suffers from behavioral disorders. People suffering from this disorder have poor attention skills and also suffer from impulsive behavior. One of the other distinct characteristic of this condition is that people suffering from ADD or ADHD are extremely hyperactive. This disorder is mostly observed in toddlers and children. In their childhood, nearly half of the children are found to suffer from this disorder. However, it subsides when they mature or reach their adulthood. In some cases, the disorder continues even during the childhood. Here we will see more on ADD in case of adult women.

ADD Causes in Women
Peculiarly in the earlier times, ADD was though to be prevalent only in males. However, research and studies have pointed out that this condition is even observed in case of girls and women. However, the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in women is observed in two sub types. Some women are hyperactive while some others extremely sluggish. But both these types of women suffer from attention deficit or lack of attention syndrome. The exact cause of this disorder is unknown. Several factors like genetics, injury or trauma to the brain, nutrition, etc. are believed to be the potential causes of ADD in men and women. In most of the cases, it is found that the women diagnosed with ADD have been suffering from it since their childhood but were never diagnosed. This is because of the fact that in most of the societies, it is believed that females are always organized and are expected to be so. In most of the cases, those who are always clumsy and restless are actually suffering from ADD. Here are the symptoms of ADD in women. Read more on causes of ADHD.

ADD Symptoms in Women
As mentioned above, inability in paying attention is the most prominent symptom of ADD. Women suffering from this condition experience as if their mind is always elsewhere and it seems as if they cannot see, cannot hear or cannot remember things occurring in their surroundings. Also, they get distracted very easily and have an inability to pay attention to a thing or a conversation for more than a couple of minutes. Secondly, hyperactivity is also one of the most important ADD symptoms in women. However, this is not observed in case of all women. Apart from these, the following are the other symptoms of ADD in women.

    * Depression
    * Inability to remember things
    * Sleep disorders
    * Insomnia
    * Worthlessness
    * Anxiety
    * Poor sense of time
    * Hypersensitivity to touch, smell, noise
    * Emotional excesses
    * Mood swings
    * Self absorbed
    * Poor coordination
    * Lack of organization
    * Inability to make quick decisions
    * Inability to focus
    * Low self esteem

These are some of the ADD symptoms in women. The lack of organization, inability to focus and manage things in time, leads to depression and very low self esteem in women. Often they begin with one task, get quickly distracted and find it difficult to complete the actual task. This also leads to a feeling of worthlessness in women suffering from ADD. If you are wondering what is the suitable ADHD treatment, then there is no specific treatment, only behavioral changes. Some modification in the behavior and working pattern can help to overcome this disorder. There are also some ADD medications that might be given for improving concentration and reducing hyperactivity. Read more on ADD signs and symptoms.

This was brief information on ADD symptoms in women. It is essential for women to identify the symptoms and get this condition diagnosed as early as possible in order to learn to cope up with it soon. Take care!

ADHD Symptoms in Adults

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD is a chronic neurological disorder which affects children and also persists into adulthood. This condition is also known as hyperactivity or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). There are three types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, they are ADHD mainly inattentive, ADHD mainly hyperactive impulsive and ADHD combined. Some doctors believe that the ADHD symptoms can be observed during childhood and these symptoms often continue to exist in the teens and into adulthood. It is essential to notice any signs of this condition and identify them in childhood itself to prevent them from becoming intense. Adults who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are unable to perform their daily activities properly and may also have relationship problems.

Unfortunately, the exact cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not yet known but research has suggested that changes in the structure of the brain can be one of the causative factors. A few doctors and psychiatrists believe that this condition can be inherited in families. Pregnant women who smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs can give birth to children who are at an increased risk of contracting this chronic neurological disorder. Exposure to certain toxins like lead can also be one of the causes of ADHD. Let us take a look at the ADHD symptoms and treatment techniques.

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults

It is very difficult to define the ADHD symptoms in adults, mainly because there was no proper research conducted on this disorder in adults. The symptoms can be categorized into two types - symptoms of impulsiveness and hyperactivity and inattentiveness symptoms. Other conditions which may be related to the symptoms of this chronic disorder are obsessive compulsive disorder, personality disorder and bipolar disorder. The ADHD symptoms may vary from the ADHD symptoms in children and teenagers. For instance, if a child shows hyperactivity as an ADHD symptom, when he grows up it may change into restlessness. However, a few of the common adult ADHD symptoms are listed below:

    * Occasional mood swings
    * Lack of attention and carelessness
    * Feeling stressed all the time and inability to cope with it
    * Getting angry at petty things
    * Being fidgety and restless
    * Unable to complete tasks
    * Switching to new tasks before completion of older ones
    * Showing impatience
    * Procrastination and getting bored quickly
    * Poor organizational skills
    * Cannot prioritize and unable to focus
    * Disorganized and constantly losing things
    * Acting on an impulse without worrying about the after effects

Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults can be a bit challenging since ADHD symptoms in adults can be more or less similar to the symptoms caused due to alcohol or drug abuse, mood or anxiety disorders and certain medications. The doctor may evaluate the signs and symptoms of ADHD based on some criteria and questionnaires. Once the diagnosis is done, the doctor may prescribe some stimulants which help in balancing the neurotransmitters or the chemicals produced by the brain. The psychostimulants prescribed can include lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine etc. Some other ADHD medications like antidepressants and atomoxetine pills may be prescribed.

There are also a few herbal remedies for ADHD which are quite effective. Apart from these drugs and medications, the patient may also have to go for therapy and psychological counseling. Some psychotherapy techniques include cognitive behavioral therapy, marriage and family counseling. These therapies help in improving the self esteem, problem solving techniques of the individual. Regular therapy and counseling will help bring changes and improvement in the lifestyle and relationships of the individual. Apart from these treatment methods, proper ADHD diet, taking nutritional and herbal supplements and practicing yoga will also prove helpful when it comes to treating this neurological condition.

This was all about adult ADHD symptoms. Timely diagnosis and administering ADHD treatment for this neurobehavioral disorder will ensure that the individual leads a normal life.

ADHD Symptoms in Children

ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. As the name suggests, this condition is a cognitive disorder, quite common in children. A few significant signs such as hyperactivity, diffused concentration and uncontrolled behavioral patterns confirm this condition. ADHD disorder is classified in subtypes as listed below:

    * Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive
    * Predominantly inattentive
    * Combined Hyperactive-Impulsive and inattentive (this is most common in children)

So let's get into knowing ADHD symptoms in children, better.

Symptoms of ADHD in Children

As mentioned, key behavioral patterns in ADHD symptoms in children are excess hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattention. Most of the times, these symptoms are ignored as they are confused with the playful attitude of the child. However, ADHD rings a bell of alarm if the child has the following symptoms for 6 months or more, and if these symptoms are more prominent than in other children.

Distinct ADHD Symptoms
Inattention (Predominantly inattentive subtype):

    * Easily distracted from focus
    * Forgetfulness
    * Difficulty in learning a new thing or completing a task
    * Not paying attention when he is addressed
    * Easily confused and disoriented
    * Day dreaming
    * Struggling to follow instructions or process information

Hyperactive and Impulsiveness (Combined Hyperactive-Impulsive and inattentive):

    * Extremely impatient and talkative
    * Blurting out inappropriate comments without a restraint on speech or thought about the consequences
    * Interrupting conversations
    * Playing and touching anything and everything that comes in their way
    * Squirming and fidgeting (read fidgeting in children), when things do not work their way

Causes of ADHD
Causes for ADHD symptoms in children are attributed to various reasons like:

    * Emotional trauma (like death in family or divorce)
    * Undetected seizures
    * Anxiety followed by depression
    * Existing medical disorders concerning brain
    * Smoking and drug abuse in pregnancy
    * Environmental toxins (like lead and polychlorinated biphenyls)
    * Heredity (1 in 4 children diagnosed with ADHD have at least one relative with the same condition)

Complications
Every disorder has a trailing list of complications. ADHD can be a trying condition for children and their family as children are not much aware that something is not right with their behavior. ADHD symptoms in children makes them more susceptible to other serious medical conditions like:

    * Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) (a hostile behavioral pattern towards authoritarian figures and is more prominent in boys)
    * Conduct Disorder (a repulsive behavioral form that includes stealing, destroying property, harming animals and fighting for no rhyme or reason)
    * Anxiety Disorders (most apparent outcome of aggravated ADHD symptoms, exhibiting fear, worry, shunning oneself from everyone and depression)
    * Learning Disabilities (A symptom mostly observed in classrooms where these children fail to focus on a subject and follow the instructions correctly)
    * Tourette Syndrome (a neurological disorder caused by compulsive vocal and muscular tics)

Treatment for ADHD in Children

Diagnosis precedes treatment for any medical condition. Unfortunately, there is no certain test that can diagnose ADHD symptoms in children. As mentioned earlier, if a child has persistent issues like low concentrating levels and defiantly impulsive behavior for no reason, for more than 6 months, the child needs medical attention. The doctor prepares a prognosis report on the child after examining the child medically and after having gathered requisite information about the child's health, behavior and issues at school and home. In United States, a manual: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has been prepared by American Psychiatric Association, which dictates the criteria for ADHD diagnosis. It states that the child must have six or more signs of ADHD symptoms from either of the subtypes of ADHD mentioned above.

Medications prescribed for ADHD treatment, are stimulant drugs (Methylphenidate, Dextroamphetamine-amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine) and non stimulant atomoxetine. These ADHD medications enhance the neurotransmitters of the brain and help in calming down impulsive behavior and symptoms of loss of focus and hyperactivity. However, these stimulant drugs have varying effects with a few showing effect for 4 hours and some for 6-12 hours. Methylphenidate is recommended for children (aged 6 years -12 years). However, every child responds differently to the medication and hence these drugs pose side effects too, like loss of appetite, irritability, weight loss, muscle twitches and sleeplessness. In cases, where side effects surpass the desired effect on the child, non stimulant drugs are prescribed. These medications also aid in bringing down the anxiety levels in children. In a few cases, it has been observed that prolonged use of non stimulant drugs can induce suicidal thinking in children, which is a dangerous side effect.

Sometimes, what a medication cannot do, a therapy does! There are many counseling sessions for combating ADHD symptoms in children. Some alternative ADHD treatment options have been listed below:

    * Psychotherapy (Helping the older children talk their mind out about the issues they have faced and are facing in life)
    * Behavior therapy (A combined effort of parents and teachers working together to understand the behavioral patterns of the children)
    * Family therapy (Helping parents and siblings cope up with the trying times that are faced when a child from the family exhibits ADHD symptoms)
    * Social Skills training (Teaching children about appropriate social behavior)

Children are like flowers which bloom only when tended with care and attention. Many a times, ADHD symptoms in children are confused with naughtiness and hyperactivity in toddlers. This is one of the main reasons as to why it is difficult to diagnose this condition. Reprimanding a child with ADHD will get you nowhere. It is better to observe your child's activities, if you feel he is inattentive and impulsive for most of the times. And after 6 months, you can fix an appointment with the doctor to confirm your doubts! Do read child support guidelines (on our website), for helping children, who are diagnosed with this condition. ADHD is not a disease, but a disorder which can be treated over a period of time with good care and affection. Natural remedies for ADHD children are available, both diet and herbal based. For more information, you may refer our article: Herbal remedies for ADHD. All said and done, the most important tip should not be missed out: Be patient with your child and give him your precious time. The time you spend with your child, hearing his incessant chatter, is worth it!

ADHD Symptoms in Teenagers

If your child has entered adolescence and is exhibiting traits of impulsive nature, irritability and persistent distraction over a long span of time, it is best to consult a doctor to diagnose the medical condition, if there is a doubt of ADHD. ADHD is also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This condition is found prominently in children and toddlers, though the symptoms can also show up in adolescents. Studies have shown that about 8-10% of the school children are affected with this behavioral disorder, and the most affected are teenagers. So to understand this disorder in teens, it is first important to understand the ADHD symptoms in teenagers.

Symptoms of ADHD in Teenagers

Teenage is a trying time not only for the teen, but for the family too. And if the teen is suffering from ADHD symptoms, it can get worse. Because diagnosing this condition is not easy, as many of the symptoms exhibited in this condition are ambiguous with the normal teen behavior of hyperactivity, irritability and impulsiveness. And in some cases, symptoms of ADHD in teenagers also coexist with anxiety disorders and mood swings, which makes it even more difficult to detect. Drug abuse can also mimic ADHD symptoms in teenagers. The symptoms of ADHD are classified across three categories of the disorder

    * Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive
    * Predominantly inattentive
    * Combined Hyperactive-Impulsive and inattentive

Of the above, the third one is most common in children and toddlers and the rest are common in teens and adults. Below are some prominent ADHD symptoms in teenagers.

    * Lack of concentration and extremely restless (Predominantly inattentive)
    * Easily distracted (Predominantly inattentive)
    * Insomnia (Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive)
    * Difficulty in following instructions and organizing tasks (Predominantly inattentive)
    * Jumping from one task to another without finishing the first (Predominantly inattentive)
    * High levels of impulsiveness and aggression(Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive)
    * Incessant talking and interrupting conversation (Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive)
    * Poor listening (Predominantly inattentive)
    * Taking unwanted risks without assessing the consequences (Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive)
    * Extremely forgetful in daily activities (Predominantly inattentive)
    * Avoiding tasks and activities like homework (Predominantly inattentive)
    * Constant fidgeting with feet or hands (Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive)

ADHD Symptoms in teenagers are not attributed to any particular race or socioeconomic background. Causes of ADHD are mostly factored by conditions like emotional trauma (like death or divorce), anxiety, smoking, drug abuse during pregnancy, grave effects of environmental toxins and heredity.

Teenage is a phase when there are certain hormonal developments and changes which are managed by the endocrine and nervous system of the body. The neurotransmitters in the body help the brain to form, translate, store and recall the thoughts. Two of the important neurotransmitters which are responsible for this function are dopamine and acetylcholine (responsible for controlling memory, attention, reasoning, perception and judgment). Any fluctuations in their levels can alter the brain function. ADHD symptoms in teens attribute to low levels of these neurotransmitters. Such chemical imbalances can be caused due to the above mentioned causes related to anxiety and depression. ADHD symptoms in children can leave a deep scar in the psychology of the child, if not identified on time.

ADHD Treatment is a mix of both medical and psychological treatment. ADHD medications like Methylphenidate, Dextroamphetamine-amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine) and non stimulant atomoxetine are used for treating ADHD symptoms in teenagers. They help in calming down the jittery nerves and enhance the neurotransmitter levels. Besides, teenagers are also advised to opt for ADHD treatment options that include psychotherapy, behavioral therapy and social skills training which pep up their confidence and socializing ability.

Teenage is a time, when many pressures like peer pressure, parental pressure and academic pressure strike the teen at the same time. And if the above ADHD symptoms in teenagers are ignored, it may lead to a severe emotional disturbance in the teen, resulting in unwelcome situations like traffic accidents, teen pregnancies and obsessive compulsive disorders. Parents need to understand these symptoms and should take the help of academic and psychological counseling for their children to help them overcome this roller coaster phase of their life.

ADHD Symptoms in Toddlers

Recognizing ADHD symptoms in toddlers is necessary for all parents, as this can prepare them for the hardships that lie ahead. Though ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), also known as ADD, occurs in varying levels amongst children and adults, it can still have a crippling effect on families. By recognizing its signs and symptoms at an early stage, the parents of the child can start providing the child with some special attention, and nurture the best out of them.

When ADHD is discovered at a later stage, things get very difficult for everyone involved. The parents are left perplexed at the complexity of the condition, and the child's mind is thrown into a lot of turmoil. As a result, there is a lot of unpleasantness generated, and this is something that ruins the family life and the peace of mind of the child and everyone else involved.

Symptoms of ADHD in Toddlers

Once you understand the importance of noting ADHD symptoms in children at a young age, you should start looking out for potential signs. You must read up on the subject extensively, and get all the possible information that you can. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from this condition, then you must visit a specialist and plan your next step. You must also remember that children have tendencies that adults cannot understand sometimes, so you must not over react to certain situations, and must treat the condition with no small amount of sensitivity. Here are some common signs and symptoms of ADHD that you must be on the lookout for.

    * The biggest sign of ADHD is when the child faces great difficulty in concentrating on something. Whether he/she is 1 year old, or 5 years old, this factor remains constant. A short attention span is normal in children, but it is also one of the prominent and widespread ADHD symptoms in toddlers.
    * Another obvious sign is constant fidgeting in children. This is something that accompanies the lack of concentration. No matter what the child is doing at any time, he/she is always fidgeting with something in his/her hand, and this contributes to the lack of attention.
    * Hypersensitivity is another thing you should be on the lookout for. This can be noticed if the child displays intense dislike and aversion to being touched, or when a certain texture or material touches his/her body. The child will suddenly start screaming and panicking, and this is one of the well known ADHD symptoms. This also happens to be one of the ADHD symptoms in adults.
    * When children suffer from this condition, they move around very quickly and impulsively, without thinking about the consequences of what they are doing. As a result, they will be very accident prone, and will keep bumping into things and falling all over the place, and thus hurting themselves.
    * Another common sign of this disorder is when the child has immense trouble falling asleep at night. This will happen because the mind of the child will keep wandering from one object to another, and this will prevent him/her from falling asleep in peace.
    * Children who suffer from ADD cry excessively, and are very difficult to soothe. This is a symptom that is hard to recognize because all children cry from time to time, but ADHD afflicted children are excessively hard to placate. There are many forms of ADHD treatment that can cure this.
    * The last of the ADHD symptoms that you should be on the lookout for is the ease with which the child lets you feed him/her. Children suffering from this condition will be very hard to feed, as their attention will keep loitering around very rapidly.

One of the biggest causes of ADHD is the genetic makeup of the child, and it occurs in different degrees in different children. Each child is unique, and you will require a distinct way to deal with their issues. Visit a psychologist and enquire about treatment for ADHD in toddlers. Recognizing the ADHD symptoms in toddlers early is beneficial, and you must learn to deal with the situation sensitively.

Cell Phone Recycling Facts

May dad was against cell phones and he used to scold us for using it. But today he has a cell phone and he keeps calling us from it. Well, this is a short and real life example of people getting addicted to this technology. It has become a necessity, and we cannot even think of living without our cell phone. There are millions of people who use more than one cell phone, and the old ones are just thrown away in the drawers or are just dumped in the trash can. But do you know that cell phones can be very hazardous to nature? Yes, that's true. The best way to save the environment from the dangerous effects of cell phones is to get it recycled. To know more about cell phone recycling facts, keep reading ahead.

Facts About Cell Phone Recycling

There is a huge list of facts about cell phone recycling. To start with, I will tell you a very interesting fact. Over 70% Americans have no idea that their old cell phones can be recycled. Let's find some more facts in the following points.

    * On an average, people in United States purchase a new cell phone every 18 months. In Europe, the frequency is 15 months, whereas in Japan, people get one every 9 months!
    * Most Americans own three or more than three cell phones, and more than 14 million cell phones are left idle every 18 months.
    * The National Office of Pollution Prevention of Environment, Canada, reports that next year, around 4,500 tons of cell phones, telephone and fax machines will be dumped. This quantity can be compared to the weight of nearly 600 African elephants.
    * INFORM Inc., North America, has reports that, 500 million cell phones, weighing over 250,000 tons, are left untouched, which should been given for recycling.
    * Do you know what a single cell phone can do if it is just thrown away? It can pollute 40,000 gallons of ground water.
    * An estimation shows that from the total e-waste produced by North America, about 50 to 80% is dumped in countries like China, Thailand, India and Pakistan. In these countries, people are given less wages and are exposed to toxic material without any protection.
    * A cell phone has toxic substances like antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc, which are very dangerous for the environment. They pollute the air, soil, as well as the water.
    * Toxic substances from cell phones may result in many health hazards such as cancer, fertility problems, defects in child birth, neurological problems, and development disorders.
    * Rechargeable batteries of the cell phones are also very harmful. They contain toxic substances like cadmium, lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride, which consists of cobalt, zinc, and copper, and many other heavy metals. These substances may be responsible for lung, liver, and kidney damage.
    * In cell phone recycling, many important metals like iron, copper, silver, etc., are recovered, which can be used in other areas. According to the reports given by the Environmental Protection Agency, every 1 million units of old cell phones recycling, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, 33 pounds of palladium and 35,274 pounds of copper is yield. This can saves energy which is used to mine these metals from the earth's crust.
    * One of the largest cell phone recycling company, ReCellular, collects about 25,000 cell phones daily from over 40,000 different collection sites.
    * Many people recycle cell phones for money. Yes, you can just give away your old cell phone and can get between $1 to $20, based on the standards set by the company.

By the above facts, you can understand the benefits of mobile phone recycling. So collect your old mobile phones and take them to the mobile recycling collection site. You may or may not get money for it, but remember you are doing this for your healthy environment. Make your family and friends too aware about the recycling facts, and help conserve nature.

Camera Phones History

To be happy in this world, first you need a cell phone and then you need an airplane. Then you're truly wireless.
~ Ted Turner

Well, well, well.... the desire to be truly wireless may be the driving force for modern day technology but the desire to capture and preserve memories goes a long way back in the history of human civilization. Even before they learnt the use of coherent vocalizations for communication and expression purposes, our cave dwelling ancestors recorded the memories of their primitive lives and exploits in the wilderness in the form of cave paintings. As homo sapiens became more and more civilized, technology in all spheres of life just kept getting better and ways and means of capturing and preserving memories became jazzier and more efficient. Various types of recording devices, both audio, visual and AV, have come and gone but the one that has made the most revolutionary impact is undisputedly the camera phone! Wondering why? Well, this is one device that allows you to capture visual memories in their still as well as motional forms besides taking care of all your communication and connectivity requirements! The following segment seeks to briefly acquaint you with a few significant milestones in camera phones history. So, click..... oops! I mean, scroll right ahead!

Brief History of Camera Phone
Any idea which is/ was the first camera phone to have ever hit the consumer market? Okay, forget about model, just make a wild guess about the manufacturer brand. Nokia? Nopes! Sony? Nah! Motorola? Nein! It was Kyocera and the model in question was VP-210 which was popularly marketed as the Visual Phone! This Kyocera model was developed and marketed in the year 1997. Sharp, Kyocera's closest competitor for the camera phone, also had the design of a camera phone ready around the same time. Both mobile phone models had integrated cameras and the only difference between both was that while the Kyocera model was designed for peer-to-peer video sharing, the Sharp model focused on instant still picture sharing. The first, most elementary camera phone was invented, however, by Philippe Kahn who integrated a small camera in his Motorola cellphone in 1997. This marked the genesis of commercially viable camera phones history. It is in collaboration with Kahn that Sharp developed its first commercial camera phone.

Going back to where it all began, you'll be surprised to know that designs and patents for complex technological blueprints that involved the convergence of multiple diverse technologies into one in a way that would enable the user to take advantage of all of their functionalities on a single platform, similar to voice communication devices with integrated cameras, had been around since as far back as the 1950s. The first viable camera phone prototype was developed by Daniel Henderson in the year 1993 and it looked nothing like the compact, stylish devices that we are familiar with today. Soon after the first camera phone model hit the consumer market and way before the rest of the world became aware of this technological innovation, more than half of Japan was already using camera phones! By the year 2000, camera phones took the rest of the world by storm! During those initial 2-3 years, owning a camera phone was considered a luxury and a status symbol. The ever increasing popularity of camera phones became a bane for camera manufacturers and two of the biggest camera manufacturers, Konica and Minolta, were compelled to go out of business owing to the massive losses faced by them in the face of the most formidable competitor of their products till date - camera phones. Between the years 2006 and 2010, camera phone technology saw a new height in terms of design, integration and economy and this lead to more varieties of lower priced of camera phones being launched in the market.

Post 2010, even inexpensive cellphones that offer very basic utilities such as making calls and texting started coming with cameras. The steady advance in image technology (right from resolution and picture clarity to sharpness, contrast and color accuracy, etc.) and performance of camera phones have lead to the emergence of multimedia messaging and the recent video calling phenomenon in cell phones. Also, the emergence of PDAs, Smartphones and 3G/ 4G technologies have only served to increase the demand of and preference for camera phones. Nokia, Apple, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Samsung are biggest cell phone manufacturers to have introduced some of the best camera phones till date. Judging by the fast pace at which camera phones have made technical progress and seen commercial success, we can definitely expect to see more innovations in the future. Now, wouldn't a camera phone that snapped up pictures or recorded videos on voice command or on clicking fingers be awesomely tech-a-licious?