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King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain issued the Alhambra Decree on March 31, 1492. The decree ordered the expulsion of all Jews from Spanish territories unless they converted to Catholicism.

There were several reasons why Ferdinand and Isabella issued this decree. One reason was religious: Spain was a Catholic country, and the monarchs believed that the presence of Jews in their territory was a threat to the religious unity of the kingdom. They believed that Jews who did not convert to Catholicism would continue to practice Judaism and might try to convert Catholics to their religion.

Another reason was economic. Ferdinand and Isabella believed that expelling the Jews would allow them to seize their property and assets, which could then be used to finance their ongoing war against the Muslim Moors in Granada. By expelling the Jews, they hoped to increase their wealth and power.

The decree was a devastating blow to the Jewish community in Spain, which had been present in the country for centuries. Many Jews chose to convert to Catholicism rather than leave their homes and possessions behind, but even those who did convert often faced discrimination and persecution from their fellow Spaniards. The Alhambra Decree is considered one of the most significant events in the history of Spanish Jewry and had far-reaching consequences for the Jewish diaspora in Europe.

Photo King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella

On 31 march 1889, the Eifel tower in Paris France, was officially inaugurated and opened to the public.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, was officially inaugurated and opened to the public on March 31, 1889. The tower was built as the entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair, which was held in Paris to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.

The Eiffel Tower was designed by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel, who also oversaw its construction. It is made of wrought iron and stands 324 meters (1,063 feet) tall, making it one of the tallest structures in the world at the time of its construction. It was originally intended to be a temporary structure, but its popularity with the public and its usefulness for scientific experiments led to it being preserved as a permanent landmark. Today, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in the world and is a symbol of Paris and France. It is visited by millions of tourists each year and has been the setting for many famous events, including the 1900 World’s Fair, the 1948 Olympic Games, and the millennium celebrations in 2000.

Photo Eiffel Tower

On March 31, 1917, the United States formally took possession of the Virgin Islands from Denmark. The Virgin Islands, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea, had been under Danish control since the 17th century, but the United States had been interested in acquiring them for some time.

In 1916, the United States entered  into  negotiations with Denmark to purchase the Virgin Islands, which were strategically located in the Caribbean Sea. The negotiations were successful, and on January 17, 1917, the two countries signed a treaty in which Denmark agreed to sell the Virgin Islands to the United States for $25 million.

The transfer of sovereignty took place on March 31, 1917, when the United States formally took possession of the Virgin Islands. The islands were administered as a U.S. territory and were later granted U.S. citizenship in 1927. Today, the Virgin Islands are a popular tourist destination known for their beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich cultural heritage.

Photo  Virgin Islands

On March 31, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson made a televised address to the nation in which he announced that he would not seek reelection as President of the United States.

Johnson had been facing mounting criticism and protests over his handling of the Vietnam War, as well as other domestic issues. The war had become increasingly unpopular, and many Americans were calling for a change in leadership. Johnson’s decision not to seek reelection came as a surprise to many, as he had previously indicated that he would run for another term.

In his address, Johnson said, “I have concluded that I should not permit the presidency to become involved in the partisan divisions that are developing in this political year.” He went on to urge the nation to “reject the politics of despair and the politics of division,” and called for a renewed commitment to the principles of democracy and unity.

Johnson’s announcement set the stage for a tumultuous presidential campaign in 1968, which saw the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy and the election of Republican candidate Richard Nixon. Johnson’s decision not to seek reelection marked the end of a turbulent and transformative era in American politics.

Photo president Lyndon Johnson

On March 31, 1995, Selena Quintanilla-Perez, a popular Tejano singer, was tragically murdered by her fan club president, Yolanda Saldivar, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Selena was only 23 years old at the time of her death and was widely regarded as one of the most talented and successful musicians in the Tejano genre.  Saldivar, who had been managing Selena’s fan club and boutique clothing line, was confronted by Selena’s family members about embezzling money from the businesses. After the meeting, Saldivar pulled out a gun and shot Selena in the back. Selena was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The news of Selena’s death shocked her fans and the music industry. Her funeral was attended by thousands of mourners, and her death was widely covered by the media. In the years since her death, Selena has become a cultural icon, with her music and fashion influencing a new generation of musicians and fans.

Saldivar was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. The tragedy of Selena’s untimely death is still mourned by many and serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the impact that talented artists can have on the world.

Selena Quintanilla-Perez

Here’s the inside guide for how to find all the Statue of Liberty replicas in Paris. Note: One of the liberties is on loan to the US, so technically there are only seven.

First: a lightning quick guide for those who don’t know: The Statue of Liberty was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and constructed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, the man who made the Eiffel Tower). Liberty was gifted the to US by the French in the late 1880s.

So, here’s where to find the Liberty statues in Paris (and beyond).

The podcast episode

Here’s a quick explainer of it all in podcast form, plus some info about our grand plans to find them all Live on YouTube for July 4th, 2024.

The interactive map

Now, here’s an interactive map of all the Liberty statues to help you find them.

1. The biggest

The grandest replica of all is just off the Grenelle Bridge on the little man-made island called Île aux Cygnes. That’s it pictured above (and below). While Liberty in New York was a gift from the French, this statue in Paris was a gift from the Americans in Paris. And it’s the biggest too, at 11.50 metres (37 feet 9 inches) – which is exactly a quarter as big as the one in New York.

2. The hardest to find

There’s a Liberty nestled in the Jardin de Luxembourg in the sixth arrondissement. You can find it on the western edge of the park. Here’s what it looks like today. It’s just one of many, many statues in the park, so you’re forgiven if you can’t find her straight away.

3. The most prestigious

Head inside the famed Musee d’Orsay on the Left Bank to find this Liberty, which is located in the grand central aisle on the ground floor.

In fact, if you want an in-depth history of Lady Liberty and France, head over to the Musee d’Orsay’s site for much more information.

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4 and 5. The closest two Lady Libs

If you want a two-for-one deal, head to the Arts-et-Metiers museum in the third arrondissement. There’s a Liberty replica right out the front of the building (well, not anymore… it’s on loan to the US). And if you head inside the museum, there’s another perched atop a display in the centre of the main hall.

6. The smallest

You’ll have to look very closely for this one. First you’ve got to find the 5m tall statue called Le Centaure at 2 Place Michel Debré in the 6th arrondissement. It was made by French artist César in 1985 and depicts a centaur. And emerging from the breastplate of this centaur you might be able to see a tiny liberty poking out! Full statue followed by a closeup:

7. The private Liberty

A listener alerted me to this one and it’s inside a private building. But, if you ever happen to have business at 5 rue du Cirque in the 8th you’ll see a sizeable Liberty in the lobby. Here’s a closer look.

8. The floatiest

There’s an EIGHTH Liberty on top of a péniche by the Eiffel Tower. Who’d have thought? Here’s a pic via my Instagram account (go follow for much more from Paris).