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Cauchy–Schwarz inequality

The Cauchy–Schwarz inequality (also called Cauchy–Bunyakovsky–Schwarz inequality) is an upper bound on the inner product between two vectors in an inner product space in terms of the product of the vector norms. It is considered one of the most important and widely used inequalities in mathematics.

The inequality for sums was published by. The corresponding inequality for integrals was published by and. Schwarz gave the modern proof of the integral version.

Statement of the inequality
The Cauchy–Schwarz inequality states that for all vectors $$\mathbf{u}$$ and $$\mathbf{v}$$ of an inner product space

where $$\langle \cdot, \cdot \rangle$$ is the inner product. Examples of inner products include the real and complex dot product; see the examples in inner product. Every inner product gives rise to a Euclidean $$l_2$$ norm, called the or , where the norm of a vector $$\mathbf{u}$$ is denoted and defined by $$\|\mathbf{u}\| := \sqrt{\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{u} \rangle},$$ where $$\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{u} \rangle$$ is always a non-negative real number (even if the inner product is complex-valued). By taking the square root of both sides of the above inequality, the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality can be written in its more familiar form in terms of the norm:

Moreover, the two sides are equal if and only if $$\mathbf{u}$$ and $$\mathbf{v}$$ are linearly dependent.

Sedrakyan's lemma - Positive real numbers
Sedrakyan's inequality, also known as Bergström's inequality, Engel's form, Titu's lemma (or the T2 lemma), states that for real numbers $$u_1, u_2, \dots, u_n$$ and positive real numbers $$v_1, v_2, \dots, v_n$$: $$\frac{\left(\displaystyle\sum_{i=1}^n u_i\right)^2 }{\displaystyle\sum_{i=1}^n v_i} \leq \sum_{i=1}^n \frac{u_i^2}{v_i} \quad \text{ or equivalently, } \quad \frac{\left(u_1 + u_2 + \cdots + u_n\right)^2}{v_1 + v_2 + \cdots + v_n} \leq \frac{u^2_1}{v_1} + \frac{u^2_2}{v_2} + \cdots + \frac{u^2_n}{v_n} .$$

It is a direct consequence of the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality, obtained by using the dot product on $$\R^n$$ upon substituting $$u_i' = \frac{u_i}{\sqrt{v_i}}$$ and $$v_i' = \sqrt{v_i}$$. This form is especially helpful when the inequality involves fractions where the numerator is a perfect square.

$R^{2}$ - The plane
The real vector space $$\R^2$$ denotes the 2-dimensional plane. It is also the 2-dimensional Euclidean space where the inner product is the dot product. If $$\mathbf{u} = \left(u_1, u_2\right)$$ and $$\mathbf{v} = \left(v_1, v_2\right)$$ then the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality becomes: $$\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle^2 = (\|\mathbf{u}\| \|\mathbf{v}\| \cos \theta)^2 \leq \|\mathbf{u}\|^2 \|\mathbf{v}\|^2,$$ where $$\theta$$ is the angle between $$\mathbf{u}$$ and $$\mathbf{v}$$.

The form above is perhaps the easiest in which to understand the inequality, since the square of the cosine can be at most 1, which occurs when the vectors are in the same or opposite directions. It can also be restated in terms of the vector coordinates $$u_1$$, $$u_2$$, $$v_1$$, and $$v_2$$ as $$\left(u_1 v_1 + u_2 v_2\right)^2 \leq \left(u_1^2 + u_2^2\right) \left(v_1^2 + v_2^2\right),$$ where equality holds if and only if the vector $$\left(u_1, u_2\right)$$ is in the same or opposite direction as the vector $$\left(v_1, v_2\right)$$, or if one of them is the zero vector.

$R^{n}$: n-dimensional Euclidean space
In Euclidean space $$\R^n$$ with the standard inner product, which is the dot product, the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality becomes: $$\left(\sum_{i=1}^n u_i v_i\right)^2 \leq \left(\sum_{i=1}^n u_i^2\right) \left(\sum_{i=1}^n v_i^2\right).$$

The Cauchy–Schwarz inequality can be proved using only elementary algebra in this case by observing that the difference of the right and the left hand side is $$ \frac{1}{2} \sum_{i,j=1,\ldots,n} (u_i v_j - u_j v_i)^2 \ge 0$$

or by considering the following quadratic polynomial in $$x$$ $$ \left(u_1 x + v_1\right)^2 + \cdots + \left(u_n x + v_n\right)^2 = \left(\sum_i u_i^2\right) x^2 + 2 \left(\sum_i u_i v_i\right) x + \sum_i v_i^2.$$

Since the latter polynomial is nonnegative, it has at most one real root, hence its discriminant is less than or equal to zero. That is, $$\left(\sum_i u_i v_i\right)^2 - \left(\sum_i {u_i^2}\right) \left(\sum_i {v_i^2}\right) \leq 0.$$

$C^{n}$: n-dimensional Complex space
If $$\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \in \Complex^n$$ with $$\mathbf{u} = \left(u_1, \ldots, u_n\right)$$ and $$\mathbf{v} = \left(v_1, \ldots, v_n\right)$$ (where $$u_1, \ldots, u_n \in \Complex$$ and $$v_1, \ldots, v_n \in \Complex$$) and if the inner product on the vector space $$\Complex^n$$ is the canonical complex inner product (defined by $$\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle := u_1 \overline{v_1} + \cdots + u_{n} \overline{v_n},$$ where the bar notation is used for complex conjugation), then the inequality may be restated more explicitly as follows: $$|\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle|^2 = \left|\sum_{k=1}^n u_k\bar{v}_k\right|^2 \leq \langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{u} \rangle \langle \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v} \rangle = \left(\sum_{k=1}^n u_k \bar{u}_k\right) \left(\sum_{k=1}^n v_k \bar{v}_k\right) = \sum_{j=1}^n \left|u_j\right|^2 \sum_{k=1}^n \left|v_k\right|^2.$$

That is, $$\left|u_1 \bar{v}_1 + \cdots + u_n \bar{v}_n\right|^2 \leq \left(\left|u_1\right|^2 + \cdots + \left|u_n\right|^2\right) \left(\left|v_1\right|^2 + \cdots + \left|v_n\right|^2\right).$$

$L^{2}$
For the inner product space of square-integrable complex-valued functions, the following inequality: $$\left|\int_{\R^n} f(x) \overline{g(x)}\,dx\right|^2 \leq  \int_{\R^n} |f(x)|^2\,dx \int_{\R^n} |g(x)|^2 \,dx.$$

The Hölder inequality is a generalization of this.

Analysis
In any inner product space, the triangle inequality is a consequence of the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality, as is now shown: $$\begin{alignat}{4} \|\mathbf{u} + \mathbf{v}\|^2 &= \langle \mathbf{u} + \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{u} + \mathbf{v} \rangle && \\ &= \|\mathbf{u}\|^2 + \langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle + \langle \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{u} \rangle + \|\mathbf{v}\|^2 ~ && ~ \text{ where } \langle \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{u} \rangle = \overline{\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle} \\ &= \|\mathbf{u}\|^2 + 2 \operatorname{Re} \langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle + \|\mathbf{v}\|^2 && \\ &\leq \|\mathbf{u}\|^2 + 2|\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle| + \|\mathbf{v}\|^2 && \\ &\leq \|\mathbf{u}\|^2 + 2\|\mathbf{u}\|\|\mathbf{v}\| + \|\mathbf{v}\|^2 ~ && ~ \text{ using CS}\\ &=(\|\mathbf{u}\| + \|\mathbf{v}\|)^2. && \end{alignat}$$

Taking square roots gives the triangle inequality: $$\|\mathbf{u} + \mathbf{v}\| \leq \|\mathbf{u}\| + \|\mathbf{v}\|.$$

The Cauchy–Schwarz inequality is used to prove that the inner product is a continuous function with respect to the topology induced by the inner product itself.

Geometry
The Cauchy–Schwarz inequality allows one to extend the notion of "angle between two vectors" to any real inner-product space by defining: $$\cos\theta_{\mathbf{u} \mathbf{v}} = \frac{\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle}{\|\mathbf{u}\| \|\mathbf{v}\|}.$$

The Cauchy–Schwarz inequality proves that this definition is sensible, by showing that the right-hand side lies in the interval $[−1, 1]$ and justifies the notion that (real) Hilbert spaces are simply generalizations of the Euclidean space. It can also be used to define an angle in complex inner-product spaces, by taking the absolute value or the real part of the right-hand side, as is done when extracting a metric from quantum fidelity.

Probability theory
Let $$X$$ and $$Y$$ be random variables. Then the covariance inequality is given by: $$\operatorname{Var}(X) \geq \frac{\operatorname{Cov}(X, Y)^2}{\operatorname{Var}(Y)}.$$

After defining an inner product on the set of random variables using the expectation of their product, $$\langle X, Y \rangle := \operatorname{E}(X Y),$$ the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality becomes $$|\operatorname{E}(XY)|^2 \leq \operatorname{E}(X^2) \operatorname{E}(Y^2).$$

To prove the covariance inequality using the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality, let $$\mu = \operatorname{E}(X)$$ and $$\nu = \operatorname{E}(Y),$$ then $$\begin{align} &= |\operatorname{E}((X - \mu)(Y - \nu))|^2 \\ &= |\langle X - \mu, Y - \nu \rangle |^2\\ &\leq \langle X - \mu, X - \mu \rangle \langle Y - \nu, Y - \nu \rangle \\ & = \operatorname{E}\left((X - \mu)^2\right) \operatorname{E}\left((Y - \nu)^2\right) \\ & = \operatorname{Var}(X) \operatorname{Var}(Y), \end{align}$$ where $$\operatorname{Var}$$ denotes variance and $$\operatorname{Cov}$$ denotes covariance.
 * \operatorname{Cov}(X, Y)|^2

Proofs
There are many different proofs of the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality other than those given below. When consulting other sources, there are often two sources of confusion. First, some authors define $⟨⋅,⋅⟩$ to be linear in the second argument rather than the first. Second, some proofs are only valid when the field is $$\mathbb R$$ and not $$\mathbb C.$$

This section gives two proofs of the following theorem:

$$

In both of the proofs given below, the proof in the trivial case where at least one of the vectors is zero (or equivalently, in the case where $$\|\mathbf{u}\|\|\mathbf{v}\|= 0$$) is the same. It is presented immediately below only once to reduce repetition. It also includes the easy part of the proof of the Equality Characterization given above; that is, it proves that if $$\mathbf{u}$$ and $$\mathbf{v}$$ are linearly dependent then $$\left|\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle\right| = \|\mathbf{u}\| \|\mathbf{v}\|.$$

By definition, $$\mathbf{u}$$ and $$\mathbf{v}$$ are linearly dependent if and only if one is a scalar multiple of the other. If $$\mathbf{u} = c \mathbf{v}$$ where $$c$$ is some scalar then $$|\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle| = |\langle c \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v} \rangle| = |c \langle \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v} \rangle| = |c|\|\mathbf{v}\| \|\mathbf{v}\| =\|c \mathbf{v}\| \|\mathbf{v}\| =\|\mathbf{u}\| \|\mathbf{v}\|$$

which shows that equality holds in the $$. The case where $$\mathbf{v} = c \mathbf{u}$$ for some scalar $$c$$ follows from the previous case: $$|\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle| = |\langle \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{u} \rangle| =\|\mathbf{v}\| \|\mathbf{u}\|.$$

In particular, if at least one of $$\mathbf{u}$$ and $$\mathbf{v}$$ is the zero vector then $$\mathbf{u}$$ and $$\mathbf{v}$$ are necessarily linearly dependent (for example, if $$\mathbf{u} = \mathbf{0}$$ then $$\mathbf{u} = c \mathbf{v}$$ where $$c = 0$$), so the above computation shows that the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality holds in this case.

Consequently, the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality only needs to be proven only for non-zero vectors and also only the non-trivial direction of the Equality Characterization must be shown.

Proof via the Pythagorean theorem
The special case of $$\mathbf{v} = \mathbf{0}$$ was proven above so it is henceforth assumed that $$\mathbf{v} \neq \mathbf{0}.$$ Let $$\mathbf{z} := \mathbf{u} - \frac {\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle} {\langle \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v} \rangle} \mathbf{v}.$$

It follows from the linearity of the inner product in its first argument that: $$\langle \mathbf{z}, \mathbf{v} \rangle = \left\langle \mathbf{u} - \frac{\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle} {\langle \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v} \rangle} \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v} \right\rangle = \langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle - \frac{\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle} {\langle \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v} \rangle} \langle \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v} \rangle = 0.$$

Therefore, $$\mathbf{z}$$ is a vector orthogonal to the vector $$\mathbf{v}$$ (Indeed, $$\mathbf{z}$$ is the projection of $$\mathbf{u}$$ onto the plane orthogonal to $$\mathbf{v}.$$) We can thus apply the Pythagorean theorem to $$\mathbf{u}= \frac{\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle} {\langle \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v} \rangle} \mathbf{v} + \mathbf{z}$$ which gives $$\|\mathbf{u}\|^2 = \left|\frac{\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle}{\langle \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v} \rangle}\right|^2 \|\mathbf{v}\|^2 + \|\mathbf{z}\|^2 = \frac{|\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle|^2}{(\|\mathbf{v}\|^2 )^2} \,\|\mathbf{v}\|^2 + \|\mathbf{z}\|^2 = \frac{|\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle|^2}{\|\mathbf{v}\|^2} + \|\mathbf{z}\|^2 \geq \frac{|\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle|^2}{\|\mathbf{v}\|^2}.$$

The Cauchy–Schwarz inequality follows by multiplying by $$\|\mathbf{v}\|^2$$ and then taking the square root. Moreover, if the relation $$\geq$$ in the above expression is actually an equality, then $$\|\mathbf{z}\|^2 = 0$$ and hence $$\mathbf{z} = \mathbf{0};$$ the definition of $$\mathbf{z}$$ then establishes a relation of linear dependence between $$\mathbf{u}$$ and $$\mathbf{v}.$$ The converse was proved at the beginning of this section, so the proof is complete. $$\blacksquare$$

Proof by analyzing a quadratic
Consider an arbitrary pair of vectors $$\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}$$. Define the function $$p : \R \to \R$$ defined by $$p(t) = \langle t\alpha\mathbf{u} + \mathbf{v}, t\alpha\mathbf{u} + \mathbf{v}\rangle$$, where $$\alpha$$ is a complex number satisfying $$|\alpha| = 1$$ and $$\alpha\langle\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}\rangle = |\langle\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}\rangle|$$. Such an $$\alpha$$ exists since if $$\langle\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}\rangle = 0$$ then $$\alpha$$ can be taken to be 1.

Since the inner product is positive-definite, $$p(t)$$ only takes non-negative real values. On the other hand, $$p(t)$$ can be expanded using the bilinearity of the inner product: $$\begin{align} p(t) &= \langle t\alpha\mathbf{u}, t\alpha\mathbf{u}\rangle + \langle t\alpha\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}\rangle + \langle\mathbf{v}, t\alpha\mathbf{u}\rangle + \langle\mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v}\rangle \\ &= t\alpha t\overline{\alpha}\langle\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{u}\rangle + t\alpha\langle\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}\rangle + t\overline{\alpha}\langle \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{u}\rangle + \langle\mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v}\rangle \\ &= \lVert \mathbf{u} \rVert^2 t^2 + 2|\langle\mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v}\rangle|t + \lVert \mathbf{v} \rVert^2 \end{align}$$ Thus, $$p$$ is a polynomial of degree $$2$$ (unless $$\mathbf{u} = 0,$$ which is a case that was checked earlier). Since the sign of $$p$$ does not change, the discriminant of this polynomial must be non-positive: $$\Delta = 4 \left(|\langle \mathbf{u}, \mathbf{v} \rangle|^2 - \Vert \mathbf{u} \Vert^2 \Vert \mathbf{v} \Vert^2\right) \leqslant 0.$$ The conclusion follows.

For the equality case, notice that $$\Delta = 0$$ happens if and only if $$p(t) = (t\Vert \mathbf{u} \Vert + \Vert \mathbf{v} \Vert)^2.$$ If $$t_0 = -\Vert \mathbf{v} \Vert / \Vert \mathbf{u} \Vert,$$ then $$p(t_0) = \langle t_0\alpha\mathbf{u} + \mathbf{v},t_0\alpha\mathbf{u} + \mathbf{v}\rangle = 0,$$ and hence $$\mathbf{v} = -t_0\alpha\mathbf{u}.$$

Generalizations
Various generalizations of the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality exist. Hölder's inequality generalizes it to $$L^p$$ norms. More generally, it can be interpreted as a special case of the definition of the norm of a linear operator on a Banach space (Namely, when the space is a Hilbert space). Further generalizations are in the context of operator theory, e.g. for operator-convex functions and operator algebras, where the domain and/or range are replaced by a C*-algebra or W*-algebra.

An inner product can be used to define a positive linear functional. For example, given a Hilbert space $$L^2(m), m$$ being a finite measure, the standard inner product gives rise to a positive functional $$\varphi$$ by $$\varphi (g) = \langle g, 1 \rangle.$$ Conversely, every positive linear functional $$\varphi$$ on $$L^2(m)$$ can be used to define an  inner product $$\langle f, g \rangle _\varphi := \varphi\left(g^* f\right),$$ where $$g^*$$ is the pointwise complex conjugate of $$g.$$ In this language, the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality becomes $$\left|\varphi\left(g^* f\right)\right|^2 \leq \varphi\left(f^* f\right) \varphi\left(g^* g\right),$$

which extends verbatim to positive functionals on C*-algebras:

$$

The next two theorems are further examples in operator algebra.

$$

This extends the fact $$\varphi\left(a^*a\right) \cdot 1 \geq \varphi(a)^* \varphi(a) = |\varphi(a)|^2,$$ when $$\varphi$$ is a linear functional. The case when $$a$$ is self-adjoint, that is, $$a = a^*,$$ is sometimes known as Kadison's inequality.

$$

Another generalization is a refinement obtained by interpolating between both sides of the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality:

$$

This theorem can be deduced from Hölder's inequality. There are also non-commutative versions for operators and tensor products of matrices.

Several matrix versions of the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality and Kantorovich inequality are applied to linear regression models.

title: Cauchy–Schwarz inequality


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Talk:Bravo Zulu

According to this page NATO adopted the phonetic alphabet from ICAO, but the page on the NATO phonetic alphabet says the opposite. Which one is right?

Looks like we might have a case of plagiarism here... Compare this page to [] which sites its source.

Definitely looks like plagarism. See this page: http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq101-2.htm
 * That is a public domain source, thence fair game for inclusion here. Rmhermen 18:22, 22 June 2007 (UTC)
 * You've offered no proof of that. Groupthink 18:52, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

If you go to the article in question, follow the link to its main page, and from there follow the Privacy Policy link you will that the fact that the article is in the Public Domain is explicitly stated.--Anthony.bradbury"talk" 19:29, 22 June 2007 (UTC)
 * You are correct, and I have tagged with the appropriate template to indicate this, but I think I can be forgiven for showing alarm at a page being a word-for-word copy of material on another website. Groupthink 19:51, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

United States Navy Obsession
This article refers on several occasions to the United States Navy for no particular reason. The article correctly states that the term predates the USN, so wondering what the opinion is of cleaning the article up to a more international viewpoint? Phil ip.t.day  talk  06:54, 29 April 2020 (UTC)

Alpha or Alfa?
When I was a Midhipman at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, I learned that the correct spelling for the letter "A" was "ALFA" (not "ALPHA"). I don't know why it was decided to do it that way, but I'm pretty sure about it. Any discussion?

Timothy Chen Allen 22:15, 18 July 2007 (UTC)

It is indeed ALFA. The pronunciation of "alpha" would be confusing to speakers of English as a second language. I removed the reference to the current Allied Tactical Publication, since the ATP is technically classified, not germaine to the discussion of where "Bravo Zulu" originated, and caused a disconnect with following references; and replaced it with the original language from the referenced source. --71.104.18.213 (talk) 05:56, 25 September 2008 (UTC)

Suggested Merge
Discussion copied from Talk:Naval flag signalling.

It was suggested that this article be merged with Naval flag signalling. Debate closed for lack of support for merge. Semper Fi! FieldMarine (talk) 17:03, 8 May 2011 (UTC)

 * Do not support merge. Bravo Zulu is very frequently used & warrants it's own separate article.  Thanks! FieldMarine (talk) 13:55, 13 December 2010 (UTC)

 * Do not support merge. Passing down "Bravo Zulu" is a distinct Naval tradition with cultural significance that warrants separate treatment.  Thanks! Kgdobson (talk) 15:53, 14 March 2011 (UTC)

 * Do not support merge. "Bravo Zulu" is used in written and verbal communications with great frequency, if not greater frequency than in realm of signal flags. Thanks! Frebo3 —Preceding undated comment added 14:50, 8 May 2011 (UTC).

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HM Prison Maze

HM Prison Maze (previously Long Kesh Detention Centre, and known colloquially as the Maze or H-Blocks) was a prison in Northern Ireland that was used to house paramilitary prisoners during the Troubles from August 1971 to September 2000. On 15 October 1974 Irish Republican internees burned 21 of the compounds used to house the internees thereby destroying much of Long Kesh.

The prison was situated at the former Royal Air Force station of Long Kesh, on the outskirts of Lisburn. This was in the townland of Maze, about 9 mi southwest of Belfast. The prison and its inmates were involved in such events as the 1981 hunger strike. The prison was closed in 2000 and demolition began on 30 October 2006, but on 18 April 2013 it was announced by the Northern Ireland Executive that the remaining buildings would be redeveloped into a peace centre, however these plans were later abandoned.

Background

Following the introduction of internment in 1971, Operation Demetrius was implemented by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and British Army with raids for 452 suspects on 9 August 1971. The RUC and army arrested 342 Irish nationalists, but key Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) members had been tipped off and 104 of those arrested were released when it emerged they had no paramilitary connections. Those behind Operation Demetrius were accused of bungling the raids by arresting many of the wrong people and using out-of-date information. Following nationalist protests, some Ulster loyalists were also arrested. By 1972, there were 924 internees and by the end of internment on 5 December 1975, 1,981 people had been detained; 1,874 (94.6%) of whom were Catholic/Irish nationalist and 107 (5.4%) Ulster Protestants/loyalists.

Initially, the internees were housed with different paramilitary groups separated from each other, in Nissen huts at a disused RAF airfield that became the Long Kesh Detention Centre. The internees and their supporters agitated for improvements in their conditions and status; they saw themselves as political prisoners rather than common criminals. In July 1972, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, William Whitelaw introduced Special Category Status for those sentenced for crimes relating to the civil violence. There were 1,100 Special Category Status prisoners at that time.

Special Category Status for convicted paramilitary-linked prisoners gave them the same privileges previously available only to internees. These privileges included free association between prisoners, extra visits, food parcels, and the right to wear their own clothes rather than prison uniforms.

However, Special Category Status was short-lived. As part of a new British policy of "criminalisation" and coinciding with the end of internment, the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Merlyn Rees, ended Special Category Status from 1 March 1976. Those convicted of "scheduled terrorist offences" after that date were housed in the eight new "H-Blocks" that had been constructed at Long Kesh, now officially named Her Majesty's Prison Maze (HMP Maze). Existing prisoners remained in separate compounds and retained their Special Category Status with the last prisoner to hold this status being released in 1986. Some prisoners changed from being Special Category Status prisoners to being common criminals. Brendan Hughes, an IRA prisoner, had been imprisoned with Special Category Status in Cage 11, but was alleged to have been involved in a fight with warders. He was taken to court and convicted then returned to the jail as a common prisoner and incarcerated in the H-Blocks as an ordinary prisoner, all within the space of several hours.

H-Blocks
Prisoners convicted of scheduled offences after 1 March 1976 were housed in the "H-Blocks" that had been constructed. Prisoners without Special Category Status began protesting for its return immediately after they were transferred to the H-Blocks. Their first act of defiance, initiated by Kieran Nugent, was to refuse to wear the prison uniforms, stating that convicted criminals, and not political prisoners, wear uniforms. Not allowed their own clothes, they wrapped themselves in bedsheets. Prisoners participating in the protest were "on the blanket". By 1978, more than 300 men had joined the protest. The British government refused to back down.

In March 1978, some prisoners refused to leave their cells to shower or use the lavatory because they were being beaten when they did, and were provided with wash-hand basins in their cells. Prisoners "on the blanket" reported that one of the things that caused the most stress was "...waiting for the moment the cell door would open and they would be dragged out, naked and defenseless, and then pounded into semi-consciousness before being thrown back in again".

Republican prisoners were also abused prior to and upon entering the Maze. Writing about the abuse of prisoners Queen's University Belfast academic Prof Phil Scraton stated: "...it is evident they endured unacceptable levels of physical and psychological punishment, violence and violation. Administered purposefully, without the checks and balances of state institutional accountability, it constituted cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment/ punishment within the UN General Assembly’s 1975 definition of torture." In 1978, the British government was found guilty and censured by the European Court of Human Rights for "cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment in the interrogation procedures".

The prisoners requested that showers be installed in their cells; and when this request was turned down, they refused to use the wash-hand basins. At the end of April 1978, a fight occurred between a prisoner and a prison officer in H-Block 6. The prisoner was taken away to solitary confinement, and rumours spread across the wing that the prisoner had been badly beaten. The prisoners responded by smashing the furniture in their cells, forcing the prison authorities to remove the remaining furniture from the cells, leaving only blankets and mattresses. The prisoners responded by refusing to leave their cells and, as a result, the prison officers were unable to clear them. This resulted in the blanket protest escalating into the dirty protest, as the prisoners would not leave their cells to "slop out" (i.e., empty their chamber pots), and started smearing excrement on the walls of their cells to "mitigate the spread of maggots".

Hunger strike

Republicans outside the prison took the battle to the media and both sides fought for public support. Inside the prison, the prisoners took another step and organised a hunger strike.

On 27 October 1980, seven republican prisoners refused food and demanded political status. The Conservative government led by Margaret Thatcher did not initially give in. In December, the prisoners called off the hunger strike when the government appeared to concede to their demands. However, the government immediately reverted to their previous stance, in the belief that the prisoners would not start another strike. Bobby Sands, the leader of the Provisional IRA prisoners, began a second action on 1 March 1981. Outside the prison, in a major publicity coup, Sands was nominated for Parliament and won the Fermanagh and South Tyrone by-election. But the British government still resisted and on 5 May, after 66 days on hunger strike, Sands died. More than 100,000 people attended Sands' funeral in Belfast. Another nine hunger strikers (members of both the IRA and the INLA) died by the end of August before the hunger strike was called off in October.

Breakouts and attempted breakouts
On 25 September 1983, the Maze saw the largest breakout of prisoners from a British prison. Thirty-eight prisoners hijacked a prison meals lorry and smashed their way out. During the breakout, four prison officers were stabbed, including one, James Ferris, who died of a heart attack. Another officer was shot in the head by Gerry Kelly, and several other officers were injured by the escapees. Nineteen of the prisoners were soon recaptured, but the other nineteen escaped.

In March 1997, an IRA escape attempt was foiled when a 40 ft tunnel was found. The tunnel led from H-Block 7 and was 80 ft short of the perimeter wall.

In December 1997, IRA prisoner Liam Averill escaped dressed as a woman during a Christmas party for prisoners' children. Averill, who was jailed for life after committing two murders, was not recaptured, and was instead given amnesty in early 2001 when he was one of a number of republican escapees to present themselves to the authorities in a two-week period.

Organisation
During the 1980s, the British government slowly introduced changes, granting what some would see as political status in all but name. Republican and loyalist prisoners were housed according to group. They organised themselves along military lines and exercised wide control over their respective H-Blocks. The Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) leader Billy Wright was shot dead in December 1997 by two Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) prisoners.

Peace process

The prisoners also played a significant role in the Northern Ireland peace process. On 9 January 1998, the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mo Mowlam, paid a surprise visit to the prison to talk to members of the Ulster Defence Association including Johnny Adair, Sam "Skelly" McCrory and Michael Stone. They had voted for their political representatives to pull out of talks. Shortly after Mowlam's visit, they changed their minds, allowing their representatives to continue talks that would lead to the Good Friday Agreement of 10 April 1998. Afterwards, the prison was emptied of its paramilitary prisoners as the groups they represented agreed to the ceasefire. In the two years following the agreement, 428 prisoners were released. On 29 September 2000, the remaining four prisoners at the Maze were transferred to other prisons in Northern Ireland and the Maze Prison was closed.

Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation
A monitoring group was set up on 14 January 2003 to debate the future of the 360 acre site. With close motorway and rail links, there were many proposals, including a museum, a multi-purpose sports stadium and an office, hotel and leisure village.

In January 2006, the government unveiled a masterplan for the site incorporating many of these proposals, including a 45,000 seat national multi-sport stadium for football, rugby and Gaelic games. The Government's infrastructure organisation, the Strategic Investment Board (SIB), was tasked with taking forward the proposed stadium idea and appointed one of its senior advisers, Tony Whitehead, to manage the project. The capacity of the proposed stadium was later adjusted to first 35,000 and then 38,000 and the organising bodies of all three sports – Irish FA, Ulster Rugby and Ulster GAA – agreed in principle to support the integrated scheme. In October 2006, demolition work started in preparation for construction on the site.

In January 2009, plans to build the new multi-purpose stadium on the site of the prison were cancelled, with the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Gregory Campbell, citing a lack of support and concerns for a net loss to the economy.

Discussion is still ongoing as to the listed status of sections of the old prison. The hospital and part of the H-Blocks are currently listed buildings, and would remain as part of the proposed site redevelopment as a "conflict transformation centre" with support from republicans such as Martin McGuinness and opposition from unionists, who consider that this risks creating "a shrine to the IRA".

In January 2013, plans were approved by the Northern Ireland environment minister Alex Attwood for the site to be redeveloped as showgrounds as the result of an application by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society with the objective of relocating Balmoral Show from its current location in Belfast. The site is now known as Balmoral Park.

In October 2019, the European Union withdrew £18m that had been approved to develop a peace centre, due to disagreements between Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party.

In April 2020, the former prison was reportedly under consideration for conversion into a temporary hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

title: HM Prison Maze


text:
Seal (musician)

Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel (born 19 February 1963) is a British musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has sold over 20 million records worldwide. These include hit songs "Crazy" and "Killer", the latter of which went to number one in the UK, and his most celebrated song, "Kiss from a Rose", which was released in 1994.

Seal has won multiple awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards; he won Best British Male in 1992. He has also won four Grammy Awards and an MTV Video Music Award. As a songwriter, Seal received two Ivor Novello Awards for Best Song Musically and Lyrically from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors for "Killer" (1990) and "Crazy" (1991).

He was a coach on The Voice Australia in 2012 and 2013, and returned to Australia to work as a coach in 2017.

Early life and education
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel was born on 19 February 1963 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, to a Nigerian mother, Adebisi Ogundeji, and an Afro-Brazilian father, Francis Samuel. He was raised by a foster family in Westminster, London. He received a two-year diploma in architecture and had various jobs in the London area.

Early career
In the 1980s, Seal spent a short time singing in local clubs and bars. In 1987, he joined Push, a British funk band, and toured with them in Japan. In Thailand, he joined a blues band for a while before separating from the group and journeying throughout India on his own. He returned to England, sleeping on the couch of friend Julian Bunster, then a model. He sometimes asked him, "Do I sing well?", to which he often received the response that he sang better than most current artists. Then he met the producer Adamski to whom Seal provided lyrics and vocals on Adamski's single "Killer".

Initial success: 1990s
"Killer" eventually reached number one in the UK. Seal subsequently signed to ZTT Records and released his self-titled début album (produced by Trevor Horn) in 1991. Two versions of the album are known to be in circulation: the original "premix" version and a second, more common version with an updated mix. This is attributed to the demand for a produced single rushing the final album edit, and as Seal puts it, producer Horn's "inability to let go".

Seal was positively received by critics. The singles "Crazy", "Future Love Paradise", and his own rendition of "Killer" performed well on the charts. In particular, "Crazy" became an international hit in 1991, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart and number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Seal stole the show at the 1992 Brit Awards held at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, with the first hat-trick of wins in the history of the event. He won in three categories: Best British Male, Best British Video ("Killer"), and Best British Album (Seal).

In 1992, Seal appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD Red Hot + Dance, contributing an exclusive track "Crazy (If I Was Trev Mix)". The album, featuring George Michael and Madonna among others, raised money and awareness in support of the AIDS epidemic by donating all proceeds to AIDS charities.

Jeff Beck and Seal performed a cover of "Manic Depression" for the 1993 album Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Seal also contributed vocals to a cover of John Lennon's "Imagine" for the 2010 Herbie Hancock album, The Imagine Project along with P!nk, India.Arie, Jeff Beck, Konono Nº1, Oumou Sangaré and others.

After Seal regrouped with Trevor Horn, his second album, also self-titled, was released in 1994. A success, the album featured the singles "Prayer for the Dying" and "Newborn Friend", and later received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. "Prayer for the Dying" became a minor pop hit in the US, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. A third single, "Kiss from a Rose", performed modestly when released, but was later featured to much wider popularity when it was remixed for the soundtrack to Batman Forever. "Kiss from a Rose" won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1996, becoming Seal's best-performing single on the US market (it topped the Billboard Hot 100 in late August 1995) and hit number four in the UK.

In 1998, Seal released Human Being. The album was the product of a turbulent time in his life, including a split and later reconciliation with producer Horn, as well as Seal's parting with ZTT Records and his signing with Warner Bros. Records in 1997. The record was panned upon its release. It received gold record certification by the RIAA just two months after its release date. The album provided three singles, "Human Beings", "Latest Craze", and "Lost My Faith".

2000s
In 2001, fans awaited the arrival of a new album, announced as Togetherland. After a protracted postproduction period, the album was cancelled. The official word was that Seal simply did not think it made the grade, although this conflicts with other reports, that said the album was turned down by the label because producers felt the album would not be commercially successful. Even so, one single was released from the album; "This Could Be Heaven" was released in the US and featured on The Family Man soundtrack. Since December 2006, Seal has indicated that he has plans to excerpt cuts from Togetherland and make them available for streaming download. Meanwhile, Seal co-wrote and provided vocals for the hit single "My Vision" from Jakatta in 2002. He also recorded a successful duet with French singer Mylène Farmer called "Les Mots" during that same period. Also in 2002, Seal lent his vocals to the song "You Are My Kind", the fourth track on Santana's album Shaman.

In 2003, Seal released his fourth album Seal IV. Although it never achieved the sales figures of either of his first two albums, this release brought him back into the public eye in the United States and continental Europe. Singles from the album include "Waiting for You", "Get It Together", and "Love's Divine" – this single was released in 2004 and was a big hit in several European countries.

In 2004, a greatest-hits album entitled Best 1991–2004 was released, including a cover of the Bacharach/David classic "Walk On By" and a cover of Echo & the Bunnymen's "Lips Like Sugar". An edition of the album was available that included an extra CD with acoustic versions of some of Seal's hits. Also in 2004, Seal performed shows at the Olympia Theatre in Paris. The show of 6 July 2004 was recorded and released about one year after as a CD/DVD package, simply titled Live in Paris.

In June 2005, Seal recorded a concert which was subsequently released in 2006, entitled One Night to Remember, as a CD/DVD combination. The DVD includes a "making of" documentary in addition to the live performance. Recorded in a historic steel mill, the Altes Kesselhaus ("old boiler house"), in Düsseldorf, Germany, this performance includes a version of Brahms' Lullaby which Seal sings in German and then in English. Unlike earlier recordings in which Seal is accompanied by his band, a full orchestra and choir of 52 musicians accompanies the singer. System was released in the UK on 12 November 2007 and in the US on 13 November 2007. Seal describes the album as more dance-oriented, apparently a return to the roots of his first album. On the track titled "Wedding Day", Seal sings a duet with his then wife, model Heidi Klum. The album's first single, "Amazing", was released on 25 September 2007, and was nominated for the "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" Grammy at the 2007 50th Annual Grammy Awards.

Seal performed "Amazing" and the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" at the 2007 Royal Variety Performance. Seal also performed "Amazing" at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in December, as well as the duet "Wedding Day" with his wife. Other performers at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show include the Spice Girls and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. He appeared on the American Idol season-seven finale, singing with third-place contestant Syesha Mercado.

Seal's sixth studio album, Soul, was released on 3 November 2008 internationally and on 11 November 2008 in the US. It contains 11 soul classics produced by David Foster. The first single was a cover of Sam Cooke song "A Change Is Gonna Come".

On 14 March 2009, Seal performed a song from the album and coached the participants on the "Top 9-Show" of the sixth season of the German TV show Deutschland sucht den Superstar (German Idol). On 4 December 2009, Hits, a compilation album, was released. It contains two new tracks, "I Am Your Man" and "Thank You".

2010s
Seal's seventh studio album, Seal 6: Commitment was released on 20 September 2010 internationally and 28 September 2010 in the US. The first single "Secret" was released 10 August 2010 on iTunes in the US and in the UK on 13 September 2010. This album was said to be inspired by his wife, Heidi. On 7 November 2011, Seal released his second cover album of classic soul songs, Soul 2 through Reprise Records.

Performance in Chechnya, 2011
In October 2011, Seal came under criticism from human-rights groups for appearing at an event in Grozny, Chechnya, that turned into a birthday celebration for Ramzan Kadyrov, the President of Chechnya. Also appearing at the event were the actress Hilary Swank, actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, and violinist Vanessa-Mae. The New York–based Human Rights Foundation claims that it sent letters to invitees in advance of the event noting Kadyrov's record and asking them to decline the invitations. Human Rights Watch sent an enquiry to Seal regarding his performance at the event and released a statement about the incident that said: "Ramzan Kadyrov is linked to a litany of horrific human rights abuses. It's inappropriate for stars to get paid to party with him. It bolsters his image and legitimizes a brutal leader and his regime. And getting paid to be part of such a lavish show in Chechnya trivialises the suffering of countless victims of human rights abuses there."

Seal refused to apologise for appearing at the event, sending a message from his Twitter account telling people to "leave me out of your politics". Seal was reported to have made $500,000 for singing at the party.

2012–2017
In 2012, Seal was one of the four vocal coaches in the first season of the Australian version of the reality singing competition The Voice. He was the coach of the series winner Karise Eden. Seal returned to The Voice season two, which debuted on 7 April 2013, where he became the winning coach once again, coaching eventual winner Harrison Craig. He did not return for the third season in 2014 with the Nine Network stating that Seal "will take a break from the third season of The Voice to focus on music and material for a new album." Channel NINE announced on 8 November 2016 that Seal would be returning alongside Delta Goodrem to The Voice as a coach in 2017, replacing Jessie J after a three-year hiatus.

On 15 November 2014, Seal joined the charity group Band Aid 30 along with other British and Irish pop acts, recording the latest version of the track "Do They Know It's Christmas?" at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London, to raise money for the 2014 Ebola crisis in West Africa. Seal was cast as Pontius Pilate in Tyler Perry's musical rendition of The Passion, which aired on Fox on 20 March 2016.

Seal began work on a new album, initially entitled Let Yourself, produced again by Horn. In February 2015, Horn said the album was nearly finished. Seal later re-signed to Perfect Songs and had a two-week writing period in Horn's Los Angeles studio booked for October 2012. Stewart Copeland (formerly of the Police) said that month on his Twitter feed that Trevor Horn and Lol Crème were working with Seal on a project. In April 2013, Seal said on Twitter that the new album would be released in about June (which did not eventuate), and that tracks to be included were "Let Yourself", "Do You Ever", and "Laying with an Angel". The album was later retitled Beautifully Scarred. On 10 September 2015, Seal announced that the album, now named 7, would be released on 6 November 2015.

Seal released the album Standards in November 2017. The album was produced by classical crossover composer Nick Patrick. It received a nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 2018 Annual Grammy Awards.

2020s
Seal announced a North American tour for 2023 with Trevor Horn as the musical director. He released digitally "Kiss from a Rose (2023)" on 12 February 2023.

In 2022, he launched his own limited-edition camera with Leica, a Q2 camera called Dawn, which is limited to 500 cameras.

Personal life
The prominent scarring on Seal's face is the result of a type of lupus called discoid lupus erythematosus, which affects the skin and leaves large scars.

Seal's brother, Jeymes Samuel, better known as The Bullitts, is also an accomplished singer-songwriter.

Seal first began dating German model Heidi Klum in February 2004, shortly after she announced her pregnancy and the end of her relationship with Italian Formula One team manager Flavio Briatore. Seal proposed to Klum on 23 December 2004 in a quinzee he had built on a glacier in Whistler, British Columbia. On 10 May 2005, the couple married on a beach in Mexico near Seal's home on Costa Careyes. Every year during their marriage, Seal and Klum renewed their vows on their anniversary with close friends and family. About these renewals, Seal said in 2010, "Each year, Heidi and I get remarried. It's a great party, but for about an hour, we go off on our own down to a private beach. We sit there with the kids and read vows to each other as the sun sets. It's a very special moment to us." In November 2009, Klum officially adopted Seal's surname and became legally known as Heidi Samuel.

On 11 June 2009, Seal, on tour with his new album Soul, revealed, "It is nice to be in newspapers and magazines for something other than my marriage". He said his marriage to Klum may take away the attention, but does not detract from what he loves doing: making music. In February 2011, Klum praised Seal for his good parenting skills.

When I first met Seal he had a kindness and compassion that was so sincere I knew he'd be a good father... He has infinite amounts of love and patience for our kids... He puts me and the children first.

Klum also remarked how lucky she was to have a husband like Seal. Klum gave birth to Briatore's daughter in May 2004 in New York City with Seal at her side. According to Klum, Briatore is not involved in fathering duties, and Klum has stated emphatically that Seal is Leni's father. Seal is her only father figure and he has praised Briatore for keeping his distance. In late 2009, Seal officially adopted Klum's daughter, and her last name was changed to Samuel. The couple have three other children: two sons Henry Günther Ademola Dashtu Samuel (born September 2005) and Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo Samuel (born November 2006); and a daughter named Lou born in October 2009.

On 22 January 2012, Seal and Klum announced that they were separating after nearly seven years of marriage. Klum filed for divorce from Seal on 6 April 2012. Their divorce was finalised on 14 October 2014.

Charity work
In April 1992, Seal performed with the surviving members of Queen at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert held at London's Wembley Stadium five months after Mercury's death. Seal sang the 1986 Queen hit "Who Wants to Live Forever" and joined the rest of the acts for the all-star finale singing "We Are the Champions". Thomas Curtis-Horsfall of Smooth Radio stated Seal's performance of "Who Wants to Live Forever" was "one of the standout moments" from the concert, adding "his spine-tingling rendition of the Queen classic had everyone in the arena close to tears."

On 10 March 2012, Seal shared the stage with Kanye West, Soul Rebels Brass Band, and Snoop Dogg at Brad Pitt's Night to Make It Right Foundation New Orleans after-party, hosted by comedian Aziz Ansari. The charity event, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, raised money to build homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Other work

 * He performed in 2003 the song "Mona Lisa" for the film Mona Lisa Smile.
 * Seal and his then-wife Heidi Klum announced in June 2010 that they would be making a reality series on Lifetime titled Love's Divine (after Seal's song of the same name).
 * Seal was also a judge for the 10th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists careers.
 * In 2016, Seal portrayed himself in the mockumentary film Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. In this film, Seal claims that his facial scars were the results of an encounter with wolves.
 * In 2017, Seal was a guest judge for season 12 of America's Got Talent. He pushed the Golden Buzzer for singer Johnny Manuel.
 * Seal competed on the second season of The Masked Singer as "Leopard". He finished in fourth place.
 * Seal collaborated with Claptone on the song "Just A Ghost," released in 2021.
 * Seal guest-starred in the 2021 animated film Seal Team where he voices a singing cape fur seal named Seal Seal.
 * On 29 April 2022, Seal appeared as a masked international star on the 3rd season of the Masked Singer France, performing "With or Without You" by U2 while dressed as a cowboy.
 * Seal appeared in the 2022 film Me Time, where he performed at a party with the film's main character Sonny.

Discography
Studio albums
 * Seal (1991)
 * Seal ("Seal II") (1994)
 * Human Being (1998)
 * Seal IV (2003)
 * System (2007)
 * Soul (2008)
 * Seal 6: Commitment (2010)
 * Soul 2 (2011)
 * 7 (2015)
 * Standards (2017)

Awards and nominations
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Nominee(s) ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Ref. !scope="row"|APRA Music Awards !scope="row"|BMI London Awards !scope="row" rowspan=4|BMI Pop Awards !scope="row" | Billboard Music Video Award !scope="row"|Blockbuster Entertainment Awards !scope="row" rowspan=8|Brit Awards !scope="row" rowspan=4|Cash Box Year-End Awards !scope="row" rowspan=15|Grammy Awards !scope="row" rowspan=2|Hungarian Music Awards !scope="row" rowspan=7|Ivor Novello Awards !scope="row" rowspan=5|Žebřík Music Awards
 * 1996
 * rowspan=2|"Kiss from a Rose"
 * Most Performed Foreign Work
 * Won
 * 2021
 * 6 Million Award
 * Won
 * 1993
 * "Crazy"
 * rowspan=4|Award-Winning Songs
 * Won
 * rowspan=2|1996
 * "Kiss from a Rose"
 * Won
 * rowspan=2|
 * "Prayer for the Dying"
 * Won
 * 2005
 * "Love's Divine"
 * Won
 * 2005
 * "Love's Divine"
 * Won
 * Won
 * 1995
 * "Kiss from a Rose"
 * Best Pop/Rock Video of the Year
 * 1995
 * Himself
 * Favorite Pop Artist - Male
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=2|1991
 * "Killer" (with Adamski)
 * rowspan=2|British Single of the Year
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=2|
 * "Crazy"
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=4|1992
 * rowspan=2|Himself
 * British Breakthrough Act
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=4|
 * British Male Solo Artist
 * Won
 * Seal
 * British Album of the Year
 * Won
 * "Killer" (solo version)
 * rowspan=2|British Video of the Year
 * Won
 * rowspan=2|1995
 * "Prayer for the Dying"
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=2|
 * Himself
 * British Male Solo Artist
 * Nominated
 * "Prayer for the Dying"
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=2|
 * Himself
 * British Male Solo Artist
 * Nominated
 * Nominated
 * 1994
 * "Prayer for the Dying"
 * rowspan=2|Top Pop Single
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=3|1995
 * "Kiss from a Rose"
 * Won
 * rowspan=3|
 * rowspan=2|Himself
 * Pop Singles: Top Male Artist
 * Nominated
 * Pop Albums: Top Pop/Rock Male Artist
 * Nominated
 * Nominated
 * Pop Albums: Top Pop/Rock Male Artist
 * Nominated
 * Nominated
 * rowspan="2"| 1992
 * Himself
 * Best New Artist
 * Nominated
 * rowspan="15"|
 * "Crazy"
 * rowspan=2|Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
 * Nominated
 * rowspan="3"| 1995
 * "Prayer for the Dying"
 * Nominated
 * rowspan="2"| Seal
 * Album of the Year
 * Nominated
 * Best Pop Vocal Album
 * Nominated
 * rowspan="3"| 1996
 * rowspan="3"| "Kiss from a Rose"
 * Record of the Year
 * Won
 * Song of the Year
 * Won
 * rowspan="6"| Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
 * Won
 * 1998
 * "Fly Like an Eagle"
 * Nominated
 * 2005
 * "Love's Divine"
 * Nominated
 * 2006
 * "Walk On By"
 * Nominated
 * 2008
 * "Amazing"
 * Nominated
 * 2010
 * "If You Don't Know Me by Now"
 * Nominated
 * 2011
 * "Imagine"
 * Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
 * Won
 * 2019
 * Standards
 * Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
 * Nominated
 * 2010
 * "If You Don't Know Me by Now"
 * Nominated
 * 2011
 * "Imagine"
 * Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
 * Won
 * 2019
 * Standards
 * Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
 * Nominated
 * Standards
 * Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
 * Nominated
 * 2008
 * System
 * rowspan=2|Best Foreign Pop Album
 * Nominated
 * 2009
 * Soul
 * Nominated
 * Soul
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=3|1991
 * rowspan=3|"Killer" (with Adamski)
 * Most Performed Work
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=3|
 * The Best Selling 'A' Side
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=2|Best Contemporary Song
 * Won
 * rowspan=2|1992
 * rowspan=2|"Crazy"
 * Won
 * rowspan=2|
 * rowspan=2|International Hit of the Year
 * Won
 * rowspan=2|1996
 * rowspan=2|"Kiss from a Rose"
 * Won
 * rowspan=2|
 * Best Song Included in a Film
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=2|"Kiss from a Rose"
 * Won
 * rowspan=2|
 * Best Song Included in a Film
 * Nominated
 * Nominated
 * 2004
 * rowspan=3|Himself
 * rowspan=3|Best International Male
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=5|
 * 2005
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=2|2007
 * Nominated
 * "Amazing"
 * Best International Song
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=2|2008
 * Himself
 * Best International Male
 * Nominated
 * rowspan=2|2008
 * Himself
 * Best International Male
 * Nominated

title: Seal (musician)


text:
Seal (emblem)

A seal is a device for making an impression in wax, clay, paper, or some other medium, including an embossment on paper, and is also the impression thus made. The original purpose was to authenticate a document, or to prevent interference with a package or envelope by applying a seal which had to be broken to open the container (hence the modern English verb "to seal", which implies secure closing without an actual wax seal).

The seal-making device is also referred to as the seal matrix or die; the imprint it creates as the seal impression (or, more rarely, the sealing). If the impression is made purely as a relief resulting from the greater pressure on the paper where the high parts of the matrix touch, the seal is known as a dry seal; in other cases ink or another liquid or liquefied medium is used, in another color than the paper.

In most traditional forms of dry seal the design on the seal matrix is in intaglio (cut below the flat surface) and therefore the design on the impressions made is in relief (raised above the surface). The design on the impression will reverse (be a mirror-image of) that of the matrix, which is especially important when script is included in the design, as it very often is. This will not be the case if paper is embossed from behind, where the matrix and impression read the same way, and both matrix and impression are in relief. However engraved gems were often carved in relief, called cameo in this context, giving a "counter-relief" or intaglio impression when used as seals. The process is essentially that of a mould.

Most seals have always given a single impression on an essentially flat surface, but in medieval Europe two-sided seals with two matrices were often used by institutions or rulers (such as towns, bishops and kings) to make two-sided or fully three-dimensional impressions in wax, with a "tag", a piece of ribbon or strip of parchment, running through them. These "pendent" seal impressions dangled below the documents they authenticated, to which the attachment tag was sewn or otherwise attached (single-sided seals were treated in the same way).

Some jurisdictions consider rubber stamps or specified signature-accompanying words such as "seal" or "L.S." (abbreviation of locus sigilli, "place of the seal") to be the legal equivalent of, i.e., an equally effective substitute for, a seal.

In the United States, the word "seal" is sometimes assigned to a facsimile of the seal design (in monochrome or color), which may be used in a variety of contexts including architectural settings, on flags, or on official letterheads. Thus, for example, the Great Seal of the United States, among other uses, appears on the reverse of the one-dollar bill; and several of the seals of the U.S. states appear on their respective state flags. In Europe, although coats of arms and heraldic badges may well feature in such contexts as well as on seals, the seal design in its entirety rarely appears as a graphical emblem and is used mainly as originally intended: as an impression on documents.

The study of seals is known as sigillography or sphragistics.

Ancient Near East

The stamp seal was a common seal die, frequently carved from stone, known at least since the 6th millennium BC (Halaf culture) and probably earlier. The oldest stamp seals were button-shaped objects with primitive ornamental forms chiseled onto them.

Seals were used in the earliest civilizations and are of considerable importance in archaeology and art history. In ancient Mesopotamia carved or engraved cylinder seals in stone or other materials were used. These could be rolled along to create an impression on clay (which could be repeated indefinitely), and used as labels on consignments of trade goods, or for other purposes. They are normally hollow and it is presumed that they were worn on a string or chain round the neck. Many have only images, often very finely carved, with no writing, while others have both. From ancient Egypt seals in the form of, including some with the names of kings, have been found; these tend to show only names in hieroglyphics.

Recently, seals have come to light in South Arabia datable to the Himyarite age. One example shows a name written in Aramaic (Yitsḥaq bar Ḥanina) engraved in reverse so as to read correctly in the impression.

Ancient Greece and Rome
From the beginning of the 3rd millennium BC until the Middle Ages, seals of various kinds were in production in the Aegean islands and mainland Greece. In the Early Minoan age these were formed of soft stone and ivory and show particular characteristic forms. By the Middle Minoan age a new set for seal forms, motifs and materials appear. Hard stone requires new rotary carving techniques. The Late Bronze Age is the time par excellence of the lens-shaped seal and the seal ring, which continued into the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods, in the form of pictorial engraved gems. These were a major luxury art form and became keenly collected, with King Mithridates VI of Pontus the first major collector according to Pliny the Elder. His collection fell as booty to Pompey the Great, who deposited it in a temple in Rome. Engraved gems continued to be produced and collected until the 19th century. Pliny also explained the significance of the signet ring, and how over time this ring was worn on the little finger.

East Asia

Known as yinzhang in Greater China, injang in Korea, inshō in Japan, ấn triện (or ấn chương) in Vietnam, seals have been used in East Asia as a form of written identification since the Qin dynasty (221 BC–). The seals of the Han dynasty were impressed in a soft clay, but from the Tang dynasty a red ink made from cinnabar was normally used. Even in modern times, seals, often known as "chops" in local colloquial English, are still commonly used instead of handwritten signatures to authenticate official documents or financial transactions. Both individuals and organizations have official seals, and they often have multiple seals in different sizes and styles for different situations. East Asian seals usually bear the names of the people or organizations represented, but they can also bear poems or personal mottoes. Sometimes both types of seals, or large seals that bear both names and mottoes, are used to authenticate official documents. Seals are so important in East Asia that foreigners who frequently conduct business there also commission the engraving of personal seals.

East Asian seals are carved from a variety of hard materials, including wood, soapstone, sea glass and jade. East Asian seals are traditionally used with a red oil-based paste consisting of finely ground cinnabar, which contrasts with the black ink traditionally used for the ink brush. Red chemical inks are more commonly used in modern times for sealing documents. Seal engraving is considered a form of calligraphy in East Asia. Like ink-brush calligraphy, there are several styles of engraving. Some engraving styles emulate calligraphy styles, but many styles are so highly stylized that the characters represented on the seal are difficult for untrained readers to identify. Seal engravers are considered artists, and, in the past, several famous calligraphers also became famous as engravers. Some seals, carved by famous engravers, or owned by famous artists or political leaders, have become valuable as historical works of art.

Because seals are commissioned by individuals and carved by artists, every seal is unique, and engravers often personalize the seals that they create. The materials of seals and the styles of the engraving are typically matched to the personalities of the owners. Seals can be traditional or modern, or conservative or expressive. Seals are sometimes carved with the owners' zodiac animals on the tops of the seals. Seals are also sometimes carved with images or calligraphy on the sides.

Although it is a utilitarian instrument of daily business in East Asia, westerners and other non-Asians seldom see Asian seals except on Asian paintings and calligraphic art. All traditional paintings in China, Japan, Korea, and the rest of East Asia are watercolor paintings on silk, paper, or some other surface to which the red ink from seals can adhere. East Asian paintings often bear multiple seals, including one or two seals from the artist, and the seals from the owners of the paintings.

East Asian seals are the predecessors to block printing.

Western tradition
There is a direct line of descent from the seals used in the ancient world, to those used in medieval and post-medieval Europe, and so to those used in legal contexts in the western world to the present day. Seals were historically most often impressed in sealing wax (often simply described as "wax"): in the Middle Ages, this generally comprised a compound of about two-thirds beeswax to one-third of some kind of resin, but in the post-medieval period the resin (and other ingredients) came to dominate. During the early Middle Ages seals of lead, or more properly "bullae" (from the Latin), were in common use both in East and West, but with the notable exception of documents ("bulls") issued by the Papal Chancery these leaden authentications fell out of favour in western Christendom. Byzantine Emperors sometimes issued documents with gold seals, known as Golden Bulls.

Wax seals were being used on a fairly regular basis by most western royal chanceries by about the end of the 10th century. In England, few wax seals have survived of earlier date than the Norman Conquest, although some earlier matrices are known, recovered from archaeological contexts: the earliest is a gold double-sided matrix found near Postwick, Norfolk, and dated to the late 7th century; the next oldest is a mid-9th-century matrix of a Bishop Ethilwald (probably Æthelwold, Bishop of East Anglia). The practice of sealing in wax gradually moved down the social hierarchy from monarchs and bishops to great magnates, to petty knights by the end of the 12th century, and to ordinary freemen by the middle of the 13th century. They also came to be used by a variety of corporate bodies, including cathedral chapters, municipalities, monasteries etc., to validate the acts executed in their name.

Traditional wax seals continue to be used on certain high-status and ceremonial documents, but in the 20th century they were gradually superseded in many other contexts by inked or dry embossed seals and by rubber stamps.

While many instruments formerly required seals for validity (e.g. deeds or covenants) it is now unusual in most countries in the west for private citizens to use seals. In Central and Eastern Europe, however, as in East Asia, a signature alone is considered insufficient to authenticate a document of any kind in business, and all managers, as well as many book-keepers and other employees, have personal seals, normally just containing text, with their name and their position. These are applied to all letters, invoices issued, and similar documents. In Europe these are today plastic self-inking stamps.

Notaries also still use seals on a daily basis. At least in Britain, each registered notary has an individual personal seal, registered with the authorities, which includes his or her name and a pictorial emblem, often an animal—the same combination found in many seals from ancient Greece.

Practices
Seals are used primarily to authenticate documents, specifically those which carry some legal import. There are two main ways in which a seal may be attached to a document. It may be applied directly to the face of the paper or parchment (an applied seal); or it may hang loose from it (a pendent seal). A pendent seal may be attached to cords or ribbons (sometimes in the owner's livery colors), or to the two ends of a strip (or tag) of parchment, threaded through holes or slots cut in the lower edge of the document: the document is often folded double at this point (a plica) to provide extra strength. Alternatively, the seal may be attached to a narrow strip of the material of the document (again, in this case, usually parchment), sliced and folded down, as a tail or tongue, but not detached. The object in all cases is to help ensure authenticity by maintaining the integrity of the relationship between document and seal, and to prevent the seal's reuse. If a forger tries to remove an applied seal from its document, it will almost certainly break. A pendent seal is easily detached by cutting the cords or strips of parchment, but the forger would then have great difficulty in attaching it to another document (not least because the cords or parchment are normally knotted inside the seal), and would again almost certainly break it.

In the Middle Ages, the majority of seals were pendent. They were attached both to legal instruments and to letters patent (i.e. open letters) conferring rights or privileges, which were intended to be available for all to view. In the case of important transactions or agreements, the seals of all parties to the arrangement as well as of witnesses might be attached to the document, and so once executed it would carry several seals. Most governments still attach pendent seals to letters patent.

Applied seals, by contrast, were originally used to seal a document closed: that is to say, the document would be folded and the seal applied in such a way that the item could not be opened without the seal being broken. Applied seals were used on letters close (letters intended only for the recipient) and parcels to indicate whether or not the item had been opened or tampered with since it had left the sender, as well as providing evidence that the item was actually from the sender and not a forgery. In the post-medieval period, seals came to be commonly used in this way for private letters. A letter writer would fold the completed letter, pour wax over the joint formed by the top of the page, and then impress a ring or other seal matrix. Governments sometimes sent letters to citizens under the governmental seal for their eyes only, known as letters secret. Wax seals might also be used with letterlocking techniques to ensure that only the intended recipient would read the message. In general, seals are no longer used in these ways except for ceremonial purposes. However, applied seals also came to be used on legal instruments applied directly to the face of the document, so that there was no need to break them, and this use continues.

Designs
Historically, the majority of seals were circular in design, although ovals, triangles, shield-shapes and other patterns are also known. The design generally comprised a graphic emblem (sometimes, but not always, incorporating heraldic devices), surrounded by a text (the legend) running around the perimeter. The legend most often consisted merely of the words "The seal of [the name of the owner]", either in Latin or in the local vernacular language: the Latin word Sigillum was frequently abbreviated to a simple S:. Occasionally, the legend took the form of a motto.

In the Middle Ages it became customary for the seals of women and of ecclesiastics to be given a vesica (pointed oval) shape. The central emblem was often a standing figure of the owner, or (in the case of ecclesiastical seals) of a saint. Medieval townspeople used a wide variety of different emblems but some had seals that included an image relating to their work.

Sealing wax was naturally yellowish or pale brownish in tone, but could also be artificially colored red or green (with many intermediary variations). In some medieval royal chanceries, different colours of wax were customarily used for different functions or departments of state, or to distinguish grants and decrees made in perpetuity from more ephemeral documents.

The matrices for pendent seals were sometimes accompanied by a smaller counter-seal, which would be used to impress a small emblem on the reverse of the impression. In some cases the seal and counter-seal would be kept by two different individuals, in order to provide an element of double-checking to the process of authentication. Sometimes, a large official seal, which might be in the custody of chancery officials, would need to be counter-sealed by the individual in whose name it had been applied (the monarch, or the mayor of a town): such a counter-seal might be carried on the person (perhaps secured by a chain or cord), or later, take the form of a signet ring, and so would be necessarily smaller. Other pendent seals were double-sided, with elaborate and equally-sized obverses and reverses. The impression would be formed by pressing a "sandwich" of matrices and wax firmly together by means of rollers or, later, a lever-press or a screw press. Certain medieval seals were more complex still, involving two levels of impression on each side of the wax which would be used to create a scene of three-dimensional depth.

On the death of a seal-holder, as a sign of continuity, a son and heir might commission a new seal employing the same symbols and design-elements as those used by his father. It is likely that this practice was a factor in the emergence of hereditary heraldry in western Europe in the 12th century.

Ecclesiasticism
Ecclesiastical seals are frequently mandorla-shaped, as in the shape of an almond, also known as vesica-shaped. The use of a seal by men of wealth and position was common before the Christian era, but high functionaries of the Church adopted the habit.

An incidental allusion in one of St. Augustine's letters (217 to Victorinus) indicates that he used a seal. The practice spread, and it seems to be taken for granted by King Clovis I at the very beginning of the Merovingian dynasty.

Later ecclesiastical synods require that letters under the bishop's seal should be given to priests when for some reason they lawfully quit their own proper diocese. Such a ruling was enacted at Chalon-sur-Saône in 813. Pope Nicholas I in the same century complained that the bishops of Dôle and Reims had, "contra morem" (contrary to custom), sent their letters to him unsealed. The custom of bishops possessing seals may from this date be assumed to have been pretty general.

In the British Museum collection the earliest bishop's seals preserved are those of William de St-Calais, Bishop of Durham (1081–96) and of St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury (1093–1109).

Architects, surveyors and professional engineers
Seals are also affixed on architectural or engineering construction documents, or land survey drawings, to certify the identity of the licensed professional who supervised the development. Depending on the authority having jurisdiction for the project, these seals may be embossed and signed, stamped and signed, or in certain situations a computer generated facsimile of the original seal validated by a digital certificate owned by the professional may be attached to a security protected computer file. The identities on the professional seals determine legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, and in some cases financial responsibility for their correction as well as the territory of their responsibility, e.g.: "State of Minnesota".

In some jurisdictions, especially in Canada, it is a legal requirement for a professional engineer to seal documents in accordance with the Engineering Profession Act and Regulations. Professional engineers may also be legally entitled to seal any document they prepare. The seal identifies work performed by, or under the direct supervision of, a licensed professional engineer, and assures the document's recipient that the work meets the standards expected of experienced professionals who take personal responsibility for their judgments and decisions.

Custom houses
In old English law, a cocket was a custom house seal; or a certified document given to a shipper as a warrant that his goods have been duly entered and have paid duty. Hence, in Scotland, there was an officer called the clerk of the cocket. It may have given its name to cocket bread, which was perhaps stamped as though with a seal.

Destruction
The importance of the seal as a means of authentication necessitated that when authority passed into new hands the old seal should be destroyed and a new one made. When the pope dies it is the first duty of the Cardinal Camerlengo to obtain possession of the Ring of the Fisherman, the papal signet, and to see that it is broken up. A similar practice prevailed in the Middle Ages and it is often alluded to by historians, as it seems to have been a matter of some ceremony. For example, on the death of Robert of Holy Island, Bishop of Durham, in 1283, the chronicler Robert Greystones reports: "After his burial, his seal was publicly broken up in the presence of all by Master Robert Avenel." Matthew Paris gives a similar description of the breaking of the seal of William of Trumpington, Abbot of St Albans, in 1235.

The practice is less widely attested in the case of medieval laypeople, but certainly occurred on occasion, particularly in the 13th and 14th centuries. Silver seal matrices have been found in the graves of some of the 12th-century queens of France. These were probably deliberately buried as a means of cancelling them.

When King James II of England was dethroned in the Glorious Revolution of 1688/9, he is supposed to have thrown the Great Seal of the Realm into the River Thames before his flight to France in order to ensure that the machinery of government would cease to function. It is unclear how much truth there is to this story, but certainly the seal was recovered: James's successors, William III and Mary used the same Great Seal matrix, fairly crudely adapted – possibly quite deliberately, in order to demonstrate the continuity of government.

Signet rings

A signet ring is a ring bearing on its flat top surface the equivalent of a seal. A typical signet ring has a design, often a family or personal crest, created in intaglio so that it will leave a raised (relief) impression of the design when the ring is pressed onto liquid sealing wax. The design is often made out of agate, carnelian, or sardonyx which tend not to bind with the wax. Most smaller classical engraved gems were probably originally worn as signet rings, or as seals on a necklace.

The wearing of signet rings (from Latin "signum" meaning "sign" or "mark") dates back to ancient Egypt: the seal of a pharaoh is mentioned in the Book of Genesis. Genesis 41:42: "Removing his signet ring from his hand, Pharaoh put it on Joseph's hand; he arrayed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold chain around his neck."

Because it is used to attest to the authority of its bearer, the ring has also been seen as a symbol of power, which is why it is included in the regalia of certain monarchies. After the death of a Pope, the destruction of his signet ring is a prescribed act clearing the way for the sede vacante and subsequent election of a new Pope.

Signet rings are also used as a souvenir or membership attribute, e.g., class rings (which typically bear the coat of arms or crest of the school). One may also have their initials engraved as a sign of their personal stature.

The less noble classes began wearing and using signet rings as early as the 13th century. In the 17th century, signet rings fell out of favor in the upper levels of society, replaced by other means for mounting and carrying the signet. In the 18th century, though, signet rings again became popular, and by the 19th century, men of all classes wore them.

Since at least the 16th century there have also been pseudo-signet rings where the engraving is not reversed (mirror image), as it should be if the impression is to read correctly.

Rings have been used since antiquity as spy identification and in espionage. During World War II, US Air Force personnel would privately purchase signet rings with a hidden compartment that would hold a small compass or hidden message. MI9 purchased a number of signet rings from Regent Street jewelers that were used to conceal compasses.

Modern tamper-proofing
In modern use, seals are used to tamper-proof equipment. For example, to prevent gas and electricity meters from being interfered with to show lower chargeable readings, they may be sealed with a lead or plastic seal with a government marking, typically fixed to a wire that passes through part of the meter housing. The meter cannot be opened without cutting the wire or damaging the seal.

Specially-made tamper-evident labels are available which are destroyed if the protected container or equipment is opened, functionally equivalent to a wax seal. They are used to protect things which must not be tampered with such as pharmaceuticals, equipment whose opening voids a manufacturer's warranty, etc.

Figurative uses

 * Seal of the Confessional
 * Record sealing

Approval
The expression "seal of approval" refers to a formal approval, regardless whether it involves a seal or other external marking, by an authoritative person or institute.

It is also part of the formal name of certain quality marks, such as:
 * Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval of the Good Housekeeping Institute
 * Good Netkeeping Seal of Approval

title: Seal (emblem)


text:
Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt (Sachsen-Anhalt ; Sassen-Anholt) is a state of Germany, bordering the states of Brandenburg, Saxony, Thuringia and Lower Saxony. It covers an area of 20451.7 km2 and has a population of 2.17 million inhabitants, making it the 8th-largest state in Germany by area and the 11th-largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Magdeburg.

The state of Saxony-Anhalt was formed in July 1945 after World War II, when the Soviet army administration in Allied-occupied Germany formed it from the former Prussian Province of Saxony and the Free State of Anhalt. Saxony-Anhalt became part of the German Democratic Republic in 1949, but was dissolved in 1952 during administrative reforms and its territory was divided into the districts of Halle and Magdeburg. Following German reunification, the state of Saxony-Anhalt was re-established in 1990 and became one of the new states of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Saxony-Anhalt is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and possesses the highest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Germany.

Geography
Saxony-Anhalt is one of 16 constituent states of Germany. It is located in the western part of eastern Germany. By size, it is the 8th largest state in Germany and by population, it is the 11th largest.

It borders four other states: Brandenburg to the north-east, Saxony to the south-east, Thuringia to the south-west and Lower Saxony to the north-west.

In the north, the Saxony-Anhalt landscape is dominated by the flat expanse of the North German Plain. The old Hanseatic towns Salzwedel, Gardelegen, Stendal and Tangermünde are located in the sparsely populated Altmark. The Colbitz-Letzlingen Heath and the Drömling near Wolfsburg mark the transition between the Altmark region and the Elbe-Börde-Heath region with its fertile, sparsely wooded Magdeburg Börde. Notable towns in the Magdeburg Börde are Haldensleben, Oschersleben (Bode), Wanzleben, Schönebeck (Elbe), Aschersleben and the capital Magdeburg, from which the Börde derives its name.

The Harz mountains are located in the south-west, comprising the Harz National Park, the Harz Foreland and Mansfeld Land. The highest mountain of the Harz (and of Northern Germany) is Brocken, with an elevation of 1,141 meters (3,735 ft). In this area, one can find the towns of Halberstadt, Wernigerode, Thale, Eisleben and Quedlinburg.

The wine-growing area Saale-Unstrut and the towns of Zeitz, Naumburg (Saale), Weißenfels and Freyburg (Unstrut) are located on the rivers Saale and Unstrut in the south of the state.

The metropolitan area of Halle (Saale) forms an agglomeration with Leipzig in Saxony. This area is known for its highly developed chemical industry (the Chemiedreieck – chemical triangle), with major production plants at Leuna, Schkopau (Buna-Werke) and Bitterfeld. Finally, in the east, Dessau-Roßlau and Wittenberg are situated on the Elbe (as is the capital Magdeburg) in the Anhalt-Wittenberg region.

Administrative subdivisions

The capital and largest city of Saxony-Anhalt is Magdeburg. The second-largest city in the state is Halle (Saale). From 1994 to 2003, the state was divided into three regions (Regierungsbezirke), Dessau, Halle and Magdeburg and, below the regional level, 21 districts (Landkreise). Since 2004, however, this system has been replaced by 11 rural districts and three urban districts.

The districts are:
 * Altmarkkreis Salzwedel
 * Anhalt-Bitterfeld
 * Börde
 * Burgenlandkreis
 * Harz
 * Jerichower Land
 * Mansfeld-Südharz
 * Saalekreis
 * Salzlandkreis
 * Stendal
 * Wittenberg

The independent cities are:
 * Dessau-Roßlau
 * Halle (Saale)
 * Magdeburg

Largest towns
The largest towns in Saxony-Anhalt as of 30 June 2022:

History

Saxony-Anhalt is a federal state with a relatively short history, compared to other German federal states. It was formed in 1945 out of former Prussian territories and mainly consists of three distinct historical regions: the area around Magdeburg, the formerly independent Anhalt and a southern part which once was part of Saxony but had been annexed by Prussia in the 19th century. This historical origin can still be seen in the coat of arms of the federal state.

In April 1945 the US Army took control of most of the western and northern area of the future Saxony-Anhalt. The U.S. Group Control Council, Germany (a precursor of the OMGUS) appointed the first non-Nazi officials in leading positions in the area. Erhard Hübener, put on leave by the Nazis, was reappointed Landeshauptmann (state governor). By early July the US Army withdrew from the former Prussian Province of Saxony to make way for the Red Army to take it as part of the Soviet occupation zone, as agreed by the London Protocol in 1944.

On 9 July the Soviet SVAG ordered the merger of the Free State of Anhalt, Halle-Merseburg, the governorate of Magdeburg (in its then borders), Allstedt (before Thuringia) and some Brunswickian eastern exclaves and salients (Calvörde and the eastern part of the former Blankenburg district ) with the Province of Saxony. The previously Saxon Erfurt governorate had become a part of Thuringia.

Anhalt takes its name from Anhalt Castle near Harzgerode; the origin of the name of the castle remains unknown. Anhalt was once an independent German federal state dating back centuries.

The SVAG appointed Hübener as president of the provincial Saxon administration, a newly created function. The administration was seated in Halle an der Saale, which became the capital, also of later Saxony-Anhalt until 1952. On 3 September 1945 the new administration enacted by Soviet-inspired ordinance the mass expropriations, mostly hitting holders of large real estates, often of noble descent.

On the occasion of the first (and one and only) election in the Soviet zone, allowing parties truly to compete for seats in provincial and state parliaments, on 20 October 1946, the Province of Saxony was renamed as the Province of Saxony-Anhalt (Provinz Sachsen-Anhalt), taking the prior merger into account. On 3 December 1946 the members of the new provincial parliament elected Hübener the first minister-president of Saxony-Anhalt, with the votes of the CDU and Liberal Democratic Party of Germany (LDPD). Thus he became the only governor in the Soviet zone who was not a member of the communist Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), making him an inconvenience for the Soviet forces.

After the official Allied decision to dissolve the Free State of Prussia, which had remained in limbo since the Prussian coup of 1932, its former provinces, in as far as they still existed, achieved statehood; thus the province emerged into the State of Saxony-Anhalt on 6 October 1947. It became part of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) in 1949. From 1952 on the East German states were dissolved, and Saxony-Anhalt's territory was divided into the East German districts of Halle and Magdeburg, except that the territory around Torgau was assigned to Leipzig. In 1990, in the course of German reunification, the districts were reintegrated as a state. The territory around Torgau did not return to the state and joined Saxony. Torgau is now the centre of the Nordsachsen district (since 2008).

In 2015 the skeletal remains of an ancient inhabitant of Karsdorf dated from the Early Neolithic (7200 BP) were analysed; he turned out to belong to the paternal T1a-M70 lineage and maternal lineage H1.

Demographics
Since German reunification, there has been a continuous downward trend in the population of Saxony-Anhalt. This is partly due to outward migration and partly because the death rate exceeds the birth rate. Although the birth rate has been steady since 1994, the net reproduction rate is only approximately 70%. However, the total fertility rate reached 1.50 in 2014, the highest value since 1990.

Religion
The region has historically been associated with the Lutheran faith, but under Communist rule, church membership was strongly discouraged and much of the population disassociated itself from any religious body. Saxony-Anhalt contains many sites tied to Martin Luther's life, including Lutherstadt Eisleben and Lutherstadt Wittenberg.

In 2018, the majority of citizens in Saxony-Anhalt were irreligious and more were leaving the churches than entering them – in fact, Saxony-Anhalt is the most irreligious state in Germany. Of the Saxon-Anhaltish, 15.2% adhered to the major denominations of Christianity (11.9% were members of the Protestant Church in Germany and 3.3% were Catholics), 2% were members of other religions (mostly Islam, Judaism, the New Apostolic Church and Mandeism). Of the citizens of Saxony-Anhalt, 82.8% were religiously unaffiliated. As of July 2019 there were 1,892 Jehovah's Witnesses (publishers) in Sachsen-Anhalt. Originally their branch office for Germany was in Magdeburg. When World War II ended in 1945, the property in Magdeburg, then part of East Germany, was returned and the branch was reestablished. But on 30 August 1950 Communist police stormed the facilities and arrested the workers, and the Jehovah's Witnesses in the German Democratic Republic (DDR) were banned.

Foreigners
The percentage of foreigners in Saxony-Anhalt was 4.9 percent by 31 December 2018, the third lowest among the 16 states of Germany (together with Saxony and Thuringia).

The largest foreign resident groups by 31 December 2022 were:

2021 state election
Minister-president Reiner Haseloff (CDU) retained his position in a coalition with former partner SPD and newly the FDP. Before the election the coalition had consisted of the CDU, SPD and Greens.

Economy
The gross domestic product (GDP) of the state was 62.7 billion euros in 2018, which accounts for 1.9% of Germany's total economic output and ranks 13th among the 16 German states. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 26,000 euros or 86% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 88% of the EU average. The GDP per capita was the second lowest of all German states.

By 2020, the GDP of the state dropped to 62.654 billion euros, shortly after reaching an all-time high of 64.115 billion euros in 2019.

Development
Saxony-Anhalt was part of the communist German Democratic Republic. After the breakdown of communism and the German reunification in 1990, the collapse of non-competitive former GDR industries temporarily caused severe economic problems. In 2000, Saxony-Anhalt had the highest unemployment rate of all German states, at 20.2%.

However, the process of economic transformation towards a modern market economy seems to be completed. Massive investments in modern infrastructure have taken place since 1990, and the remaining and newly created businesses are highly competitive. For example, the industry has doubled its share of international revenue from 13 percent in 1995 to 26 percent in 2008. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate has fallen considerably. By 2010 the GDP of Saxony-Anhalt was almost two and a half times higher than it was in 1991.

Even though part of this recovery was brought on by the positive performance of the German economy, Saxony-Anhalt not only followed the national trend, but clearly outperformed other German states. For example, it outperformed three German states in terms of unemployment (10.8%, as of September 2011): the German capital and city-state of Berlin (12.7%), the city-state Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (11.3%) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (11%).

The unemployment began to fall under 10% in 2016, and stood at 7.1% in October 2018.

Structure

 * The chemical industry is quite important, with almost 25,500 employees across 214 plants in 2010. One of the biggest chemical producing areas can be found around the city of Bitterfeld-Wolfen. Because of the chemical industry, Saxony-Anhalt attracts more foreign direct investments than any other state in eastern Germany.
 * The state is the location of numerous wind farms producing wind-turbine energy.
 * Saxony-Anhalt is also famous for its good soil. Hence, the food industry has an important role with almost 19,500 employees across 190 plants in 2010. Some of the best known products are Baumkuchen from Salzwedel and Halloren chocolate globes from Germany's oldest chocolate factory in Halle.

Tourism
Saxony-Anhalt has seven World Heritage Sites, the highest number of all states in Germany.

Education

Saxony-Anhalt has several universities, including:

 * Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
 * Harz University of Applied Studies
 * Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences
 * Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg
 * Merseburg University of Applied Sciences
 * Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg

Anthem

 * "Lied für Sachsen-Anhalt" ("Song for Saxony-Anhalt")
 * Motto: "Land of the Early Risers"

title: Saxony-Anhalt


text:
Talk:Seal

Untitled
I have broken this into four separate articles without otherwise changing the content - so far. I may revise the text for the "device" article at a later time.

This comes in the wake of establishing a Library of Congress classification page for Class C, particularly with reference to subclass CD. I hope to now revise the links to "seal" to be ones to the relevant article.

Why can't we...
Use Seal for the animal and move other links to Seal (disambiguation)?? 66.32.109.248 01:23, 5 May 2004 (UTC)

I have requested that the contents page be moved to Seal (disambiguation) and that the seal page then redirect to Pinnipedia (with a disambiguation notice on that page) --Clawed 05:46, 28 Apr 2005 (UTC)

 * Oppose. "Seals" in the sense of seal (device) are important in many historical, biographical or art historical topics. It's not a particularly outlandish subject, but the title is a bit non-obvious, and that page should not be too difficult to find. up◦land 07:37, 28 Apr 2005 (UTC)
 * oppose. seals (the animals) and seals (the device) are probably equally important, so there's not one definition that clearly stands out as the most used. I think seal should stay the disambig. page. Lachatdelarue (talk) 21:46, 28 Apr 2005 (UTC)
 * Oppose. For me, Seal is a U.S.Navy SEAL in the first place :) DmitryKo 19:18, 4 May 2005 (UTC)
 * Support, judging by links alone, Pinnipeds are certianly more linked to than seal (device) or U.S. Navy SEALs. Megan1967 08:32, 5 May 2005 (UTC)
 * Oppose. The animal doesn't seem to be the clear primary target of this name, or even the majority use. Should remain a disambig. Jonathunder 02:25, 2005 May 6 (UTC)
 * Oppose. As said above, there is an ambiguity of name, and one is not more important or necessarily prevalent than another. Logically, a disambiguation page is required. Rincebrain 08:25, 2005 May 6 (UTC)

It was requested that this article be renamed but there was no consensus for it to be moved. violet/riga (t) 18:54, 6 May 2005 (UTC)

Merge in contents of SEAL
There was also a similar but much smaller disambiguation page with the title SEAL. I have merged its contents into this page, and changed SEAL to redirect to Seal. - Hebrides 08:34, 25 August 2006 (UTC)

Disambiguation pages with links
I have just adopted this subject from Disambiguation pages with links. On review of Disambiguation ''It is acceptable, on the other hand, to create a page at "Term XYZ (disambiguation)" that redirects to the disambiguation page at "Term XYZ". This type of redirect can be used to indicate deliberate links to the disambiguation page'' so it would seem to be appropriate to have a page Seal (disambiguation) just to meet that need. As Seal is clearly a multi disambiguated term I had thought to move and redirect Seal to Seal (disambiguation) but I can see from the comments at Why can't we... that a some what similar but less NPOV move was rejected a couple years ago. Jeepday 16:23, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

Seals are so interesting.
Wow i never knew this and it was amazing! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 205.118.91.146 (talk) 19:19, 23 September 2008 (UTC)

SEAL Magazine
I reverted a redlink to SEAL Magazine which had been inserted by Fracese; subsequently CambridgeBayWeather reverted its reinsertion twice, with associated discussion on the talk pages of Fracese and CambridgeBayWeather.

I wholeheartedly support CambridgeBayWeather's suggestion that Fracese should not insert a link here unless there is a wikipedia article about SEAL Magazine that satisfies Notability. However, having looked at the SEAL Magazine website (currenly little more than a non-interactive video dated 2006 promoting a magazine that is "coming to a newsstand near you") and having searched the internet unsuccessfully for reliable independent sources to cite in such an article, I think this publication has a little way to go before it meets the Notability criteria. Here is the best I could find (in addition to their own website, of course): ... and some unsavoury links that I will not reproduce here. None of these appears to be aware of the publication promoted by Fracese.
 * Seal Magazine Cover Photos - Seal Magazine Covers - seems to be unrelated
 * Seal Magazine - Signode, Titan, Bostich, 3M, Columbia, Orgapack ... - AHP-2-114 Seal Feed Pneumatic Tool schematic
 * Seal Magazine - News, Reviews and Videos - which turns out to be Idio Ltd.
 * Seal Magazine - all about the AHP-2-114 Seal Feed Pneumatic Tool For 1-1/4^ Steel Strapping
 * Seal Magazine - irrelevant

So I've tried to be fair to Fracese, but readers can draw their own conclusions... -- Hebrides (talk) 13:38, 16 January 2009 (UTC)

Commonly refers to items
As part of cleaning up the page, I placed my suspected most common items at the top (partly based on the discussion above). The most common items should be agreed upon, so for now I have proposed and listed: Widefox (talk) 22:17, 7 May 2011 (UTC)
 * Pinniped
 * Seal (mechanical
 * Seal (emblem)

Seal (the musician)
The Onion is at it (again). . Alphabetizing the headers makes more sense than promoting a musician. Rklawton (talk) 13:04, 25 September 2014 (UTC)

The usage of is under discussion, see talk:seal (emblem) -- 65.92.247.66 (talk) 10:59, 14 January 2024 (UTC)

title: Talk:Seal