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The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)

The Four Horsemen is an American professional wrestling stable who originally consisted of Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, and Tully Blanchard.

The stable originated in Jim Crockett Promotions as part of Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling and later World Championship Wrestling for much of the 1980s and 1990s. Flair and Arn Anderson were members of each incarnation of the group until Anderson's retirement after a neck injury. , Arn Anderson has the ownership of the stable's trademark and other intellectual properties.

History
Ric Flair was introduced to the storylines in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in the 1970s as a cousin of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew (Gene Anderson and Ole Anderson). After leaving the Crew he took on Blackjack Mulligan and Greg Valentine as his partners to feud with them. By 1981, when he became NWA World Heavyweight Champion, he and the Crew had reconciled, having their blessing to team with them as well as with Mulligan and Valentine to feud with top NWA man Harley Race and his Mid-Atlantic hitmen, Bob Orton Jr. and Dick Slater. When Mulligan retired and Valentine jumped to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Flair started looking for a new entourage.

Original Four Horsemen (1985–1987)
The Four Horsemen formed in 1985 with Ric Flair, Ole and Arn Anderson (the latter brought in from Continental Championship Wrestling), and Tully Blanchard from Southwest Championship Wrestling, with J. J. Dillon as their manager (Dillon was originally serving as manager of Blanchard). They feuded with Dusty Rhodes (breaking his ankle and hand), Magnum T. A., Barry Windham, The Rock 'n' Roll Express (breaking Ricky Morton's nose), Nikita Koloff (injuring his neck), and The Road Warriors. Animal, Hawk, Ronnie Garvin and many others fought Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Title during that time period. They usually had most of the titles in the NWA, and they often bragged about their success (in the ring and with women) in their interviews.

The Four Horsemen moniker was not planned from the start. The origin of the stable dates to a Jim Crockett Promotions taping which was held in The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia in September 1985. During the event, Ric Flair turned on Dusty Rhodes after Rhodes saved him from a beatdown at the hands of the Koloffs and Krusher Kruschev, with Ole and Arn Anderson then entering the ring and assisting Flair in breaking Dusty Rhodes' ankle and putting him out of action. During a promo where Rhodes was attempting to surrender his vacated NWA Television Title, Arn, who desired the title, would recruit Tully Blanchard, with the two then kicking Dusty's crutches away. Due to time constraints at a television taping, production threw together an impromptu tag team interview of Flair, The Andersons, Tully Blanchard and his manager JJ. Dillon. In his autobiography To Be The Man, Flair claimed that it was during this interview that Arn commented: "The only time this much havoc had been wreaked by this few a number of people, you need to go all the way back to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!" Alternatively, Dillon and Blanchard stated during a Four Horsemen discussion panel, which took place at the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame on July 24, 2016, that the interview where Arn had actually said the phrase, and also debuted the group's trademark four finger pose, was after the original four members wrestled in an eight tag team match and that the group's formation was centered around the original four members holding championships at the time. The comparison and the name stuck. However, during a pair of television interviews before Starrcade 85, Arn Anderson came out and called them "The Four Horses". Then Tully did came out right after with Baby Doll and called the group the Four Horsemen, crediting Anderson for the name, though it was not the same one. Arn Anderson has said in an RF Video shoot interview that he, Flair and Blanchard were as close as anybody could be away from the ring while they were together. They lived the gimmick outside of the arena, as they took limos and jets to the cities in which they wrestled. Baby Doll was Flair's valet for a couple of months in 1986, after previously managing Tully Blanchard during 1985.

Lex Luger and Barry Windham (1987–1989)
In February 1987, JCP newcomer Lex Luger, who had come from Florida, was made an associate member of the group after he expressed his desire to become a Horseman. The others started to leave Ole out of things after he cost him and Arn Anderson the NWA Tag Team Titles at Starrcade in 1986. Eventually he was kicked out in favor of Luger that March. The fact that Ole missed a show to watch his son Bryant wrestle in high school was used against Ole in the split as Blanchard and Dillon questioned Ole's commitment and Blanchard called Bryant a "snot-nosed kid".

During this time, they wrestled Rhodes, Nikita Koloff, the Road Warriors and Paul Ellering in a series of WarGames matches. These matches were brutal and ended up with all five members of each team in the cage at the end trying to make somebody submit. During the first match in the Omni, Dillon suffered a separated shoulder from a botched attempt at the Warriors' finishing move, the Doomsday Device. Dillon landed directly on his right arm and shoulder, and was replaced for the series of matches by the masked War Machine, later known as the Big Boss Man.

Luger was later kicked out of the Four Horsemen. First, he blamed Horseman manager J.J. Dillon for costing him the U.S. Title when Dillon's attempt to help Luger win the match, by cheating, backfired. Lex subsequently did not allow Dillon to win a Bunkhouse Stampede match as the Horsemen had agreed to among themselves. In January 1988, he teamed with Barry Windham to feud with the Horsemen. The pair even defeated Anderson and Tully Blanchard for the NWA World Tag Team Championship at Clash of the Champions I. In April 1988, Windham turned on Luger during a title defense against Anderson and Tully Blanchard. Windham then took his spot in the Horsemen. This particular lineup of Horsemen has been called the greatest faction as far as a group of technical wrestlers goes. It was at that time every major title was held by members of the faction: with Flair, as the World Heavyweight Champion; Windham, as the United States Heavyweight Champion; and Arn and Tully, as the World Tag Team Champions.

In September 1988, Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard left to join the WWF. This forced them to drop the Tag Team Titles at the last minute to the Midnight Express (Stan Lane and Bobby Eaton). Anderson and Blanchard were known as "The Brain Busters", in the WWF, and were managed by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.

Flair, Windham, and Dillon continued to refer to themselves as "the Horsemen" and the NWA even flirted with the idea of bringing in new members. Butch Reed was signed to wrestle solo matches with Dillon as his manager. Then, in February 1989, Barry's brother Kendall Windham appeared to have joined them and even held up the four fingers after turning on Eddie Gilbert during a tag team match. Early in 1989, Flair and Windham lost a televised tag match to Gilbert and a surprise partner, Flair's long-time rival Ricky Steamboat. An enraged and humiliated Flair immediately fired Dillon, who then left to take a front office job with the WWF, while Flair and Windham dropped the Horsemen name. Hiro Matsuda was hired as their new manager. For a short stint in JCP in 1987, Matsuda was managed by Dillon and considered an associate of the Horsemen. As a result of hiring Matsuda as their new manager the Horsemen changed their name to Yamazaki Corporation. Their major feuds were with Lex Luger, Eddie Gilbert, Ricky Steamboat, and Sting. After losing the United States Heavyweight Championship to Luger, Barry Windham left the group due to an injury. Windham suffered a broken hand which occurred in his match against Luger at Chi-Town Rumble and required surgery. This enabled Windham to leave the promotion and show up in the WWF as "The Widowmaker." Kendall was not used as much more than a jobber and the group seemed like a shell of the unit it looked like on paper when it formed. They added Michael Hayes after Barry's injury, who feuded with Luger, but the group disbanded when Hayes reformed The Fabulous Freebirds in May and Matsuda left the promotion.

The Horsemen concept helped define the NWA in the mid to late 1980s. The departure of Anderson and Blanchard was huge at the time, Dillon and Windham's departure made it worse, and despite numerous revivals over the coming decade, things were never quite the same.

Sting and Sid Vicious (1989–1991)
The Horsemen reformed in December 1989 in the NWA/WCW. Flair, Arn and Ole Anderson, and long-standing rival Sting formed the group in a shocker. Tully Blanchard was set to return as well, but failed a drug test while still with the WWF. WCW heard of this, and decided not to rehire him. They were faces and feuded with Gary Hart's J-Tex Corporation of Terry Funk, Great Muta, Buzz Sawyer and The Dragonmaster. At the culmination of this feud the group returned to being heels, kicking Sting out for daring to challenge Ric Flair for the World Title. "Sting, you never were a Horseman" Ric Flair would say afterwards in a TV spot, according to Arn Anderson, Sting actually requested to be taken out of the group because he wanted to be on his own. Woman soon became Flair's valet. They feuded with Luger, Sting, Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner and El Gigante during this time.

In May 1990, Ole retired from active competition and served as the group's manager, Barry Windham returned to WCW and the Horsemen on the May 5th NWA World Wide Wrestling, and Sid Vicious was added to fill out the group on the May 11th NWA Power Hour. They feuded with the Dudes With Attitudes which consisted of Sting, Luger, the Steiner Brothers, Paul Orndorff and Junkyard Dog. By the end of 1990, Ole and Woman left the NWA.

In October 1990, NWA World Champion Sting defended his title against the Horsemen's Sid Vicious at the Halloween Havoc pay-per-view. During the match, Sting and Vicious brawled backstage. A few moments later, they returned to the ring. Sting attempted to slam Sid, but lost his balance and fell to the mat with Sid on top of him. Vicious got the pin and was declared the new World Heavyweight Champion. However, it was revealed that Barry Windham (in matching Sting gear and face paint) had inserted himself into the match and let Vicious pin him. When the real Sting showed up, the match was restarted and the real Sting defeated Sid to retain the title.

The Horsemen line-up of Flair, Anderson, Windham, and Vicious eventually broke up and went their own ways. In May 1991, Sid left for the WWF. Flair was fired from WCW in early July and was in the WWF by August. Windham was part of a double turn at The Great American Bash shortly after Flair's firing, where he lost to Lex Luger in a match for the vacant WCW world championship (Windham became a face, Luger a heel). Anderson went on to form a tag team with Larry Zbyszko called The Enforcers and later became part of the Paul E. Dangerously-led Dangerous Alliance with Zbyszko, Rick Rude, Madusa, Bobby Eaton, and Steve Austin. Anderson and Windham feuded during this time, beginning with an incident at Halloween Havoc where Arn and Zbyszko slammed a car door on Windham's hand.

Three Horsemen (May 1993 – December 1993)
The next incarnation of the Horsemen, containing only three active members, was around for fewer than seven months in 1993. Flair returned from the WWF to WCW to rejoin Arn and they promised a Horsemen reunion at the Slamboree pay-per-view. Paul Roma became the third horseman after Tully Blanchard and WCW could not come to terms on a deal for him to return. Ole Anderson was on hand as the adviser but made only one appearance on A Flair for the Gold. This group of Horsemen is considered by many wrestling fans to be the weakest incarnation of the group. They were faces again and feuded with Barry Windham and the Hollywood Blondes (Steve Austin and Brian Pillman). This group ended, due to Arn Anderson's stabbing incident with Sid Vicious during a tour of England in October, and Paul Roma turning on Erik Watts during a tag team match to join Paul Orndorff as the tag team of Pretty Wonderful. Flair went on to feud with WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader.

Reformation and feud with the nWo (1995–1997)
In 1995, Flair and Arn (back to being heels) were teaming with Flair's former foe Vader to torment Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage. After Vader lost to Hogan in a steel cage match at Bash at the Beach, Flair entered the cage and lambasted him. Vader snapped and attacked Flair, and Arn came to his rescue. This led to a handicap match at Clash of the Champions XXXI in which Vader defeated the team of Flair and Arn. Flair and Arn began to bicker, as Flair blamed Arn for the loss and Arn always felt he was doing Flair's dirty work; a feud developed that led to a match at Fall Brawl on September 17, 1995, in Asheville, North Carolina. Arn defeated Flair with the help of Brian Pillman. Flair begged Sting to help him against them and though Sting did not trust Flair he eventually agreed. Flair ended up turning on him at Halloween Havoc to reform the Horsemen with Arn and Pillman. They added Chris Benoit to complete the group. This version of the Horsemen feuded with Hogan, Savage, Sting, and Lex Luger. Flair eventually brought back Woman and Miss Elizabeth joined the group at Superbrawl VI when she turned on Randy Savage. Miss Elizabeth left the group in October 1996 to join the nWo and Woman left the group and WCW in July 1997.

In early 1996, Pillman started his infamous "Loose Cannon" storyline and started a feud with Kevin Sullivan, the leader of the Dungeon of Doom. Pillman ended up leaving WCW, going to ECW, and eventually the WWF in February. Leading towards Uncensored the Horsemen briefly joined forces with the Dungeon of Doom as the Alliance to End Hulkamania to battle mutual rivals Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage. The two stables were unable to coexist and lost the Tower of Doom Steel Cage. The Horsemen then engaged in a brief feud with the Dungeon of Doom, including a feud between Sullivan and Benoit, which became one of the most talked about feuds of all time. In this feud, Woman, who was really married to Sullivan, left him for Benoit. However, life imitated art, and Woman actually left Sullivan for Benoit. This feud got heated and some of the matches were shoot-style with the performers using stiff or even full contact moves, rather than the typical North American style of softening maneuvers.

In June 1996 at the Great American Bash, Flair and Arn Anderson wrestled former football players Steve "Mongo" McMichael and Kevin Greene. During the match, McMichael's then-wife Debra was chased to the back by Woman and Miss Elizabeth, but later came back with them and a steel briefcase, which she handed to her husband. Mongo opened it to reveal a Horsemen T-shirt and money; after thinking it over, he closed the Haliburton briefcase and hit Greene with it, allowing Flair to score the pin on Greene. McMichael was officially inducted as the fourth Horseman, and in the process gave the group another ringside valet in Debra. The rumors said that Debra and Woman did not get along behind the scenes. This played out on TV, as they constantly bickered, and Benoit and Mongo had to step in.

When the New World Order (nWo) was founded the next month, the Horsemen became babyfaces along with the rest of the WCW roster. In September, Flair and Anderson teamed with their bitter rivals, Sting and Lex Luger, to lose to the nWo (Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and an impostor Sting) in the WarGames match at Fall Brawl when Luger submitted to the impostor Sting's Scorpion Deathlock. This angered Anderson, and he feuded with Luger for the next month. In October, two developments occurred that affected the group. First, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF, and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen. The next week, Miss Elizabeth joined the nWo.

Flair finally let Jarrett join the group in February 1997 but the others did not want him. Jarrett began bickering with Mongo over Debra's attention, and in June won the U.S. Title from Dean Malenko, with the help of Eddie Guerrero; on the June 30, 1997 edition of Nitro he was kicked out of the stable by Flair, due to the instability Jarrett's presence caused the Horsemen. In a move uncharacteristic of the Horsemen, however, Jarrett was allowed to literally walk away, instead of receiving a beatdown as was expected. He eventually took Debra from Mongo, but Mongo took Jarrett's U.S. Title. To this date, amongst fans and members of the Four Horsemen, there is still debate whether to include Jarrett as a Horseman. In his biography, Arn Anderson states that "Jeff Jarrett was never a Horseman". His "membership" and his easy departure leave the situation ambiguous.

The Four Horsemen usually picked their own members, but at the time, WCW held extreme control over storylines and this may have forced them to accept a member for those purposes only and not by choice. In August 1997, Arn Anderson retired due to a neck/back injury that did not allow him to wrestle. Curt Hennig took his spot as "The Enforcer". The next month, Hennig turned on the Horsemen and joined the nWo. Flair disbanded the group on September 29, 1997, and they went their separate ways.

Final incarnation (1998–1999)
The last incarnation came in September 1998. On the September 14 edition of WCW Monday Nitro in Greenville, South Carolina when Ric Flair returned from a hiatus from the ring after a disagreement with WCW president Eric Bischoff. Dean Malenko and Chris Benoit kept going to Arn about reforming the Horsemen. He kept saying no. James J. Dillon, back in WCW's front office, even made a request. Arn eventually gave in and reformed the Horsemen with McMichael, Benoit and Malenko being presented to the ring before Flair finally being unveiled as the fourth Horseman, with Arn serving as its manager. They feuded with the nWo and Eric Bischoff.

In early 1999, the Horsemen turned heel again. Mongo had recently departed the wrestling world and they were down to Benoit, Malenko, Flair and Arn as the manager. They also had a referee biased to them, Charles Robinson, whom members of the Horsemen even referred to as "Little Nature Boy" (due to his resemblance to Flair). Flair's personal nurse, Double D (aka Asya), acted as an enforcer for the group and Ric Flair's son David Flair, who wrestled with them and wore Horsemen shirts though never an official member. Ric Flair, the (onscreen) President of WCW at this time, had awarded him with the U.S. Title and had the Horsemen help David to keep it. Eventually, Benoit and Malenko left him in May in protest over Flair's selfishness, and joined Shane Douglas and Perry Saturn to form the Revolution, thereby effectively ending the Four Horsemen.

Reunions (2022–present)
At Starrcast 2022, The Four Horsemen reunited. That July, Arn Anderson secured the copyrights to The Four Horsemen name and images. A tag team consisting of his son Brock Anderson and Brian Pillman Jr., son of late Horseman Brian Pillman, "representing The Four Horsemen" was announced to wrestle at the Jim Crockett Promotions event "Ric Flair's Last Match" with Arn Anderson managing, signaling a possible full-time return of the faction.

Legacy
The original Four Horsemen, widely regarded as the greatest pro wrestling stable of all time, were innovative in developing and popularizing the concept of heel stables. On the 2007 Four Horsemen DVD, commentator Jim Ross stated "without the Horsemen there would damn sure be no nWo or no DX".

Evolution
In 2003, rumors began circulating that Ric Flair (at the time working for the World Wrestling Entertainment) was going to reform the Four Horsemen with Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista. This group was eventually formed, but under the name Evolution instead of the Four Horsemen, and with Triple H as the leader instead of Flair. They served much the same function as the original heel Horsemen had, dominating the titles on Raw and feuding with that brand's top faces. The group slowly died between August 2004 and October 2005. Orton was kicked out of the group after he won the World Heavyweight Championship, which Triple H coveted. In February 2005, Batista left the group after winning the Royal Rumble, in a storyline where Triple H tried to protect his title from Batista. During a Triple H hiatus, Flair turned face, and at Raw Homecoming, Triple H returned as a face, but turned heel by the end of the night, hitting Flair in the face with a sledgehammer and officially ending Evolution. At Raw 15th Anniversary, an Evolution reunion as faces took place, though then-heel Randy Orton refused to participate and instead challenged the face versions of Flair, Batista, and Triple H to a match in which he partnered with then-heel, Edge and Umaga, and at the same time reforming Rated-RKO for one night. On the March 31, 2008 episode of Raw, Flair delivered his farewell address. Afterward, Triple H brought out many current and retired superstars to thank Flair for all he has done, including Four Horsemen members, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, J. J. Dillon, and Dean Malenko. Also, it was the night in which Evolution got back together in the ring, except for Randy Orton (who was outside the ring). This would mark the last time both groups would be in the ring together.

On the April 14, 2014 episode of Raw, Triple H, Orton, and Batista reunited Evolution full-time, once again heels, to feud with The Shield. However, on the April 28, 2014 episode of Raw, Flair showed his endorsement for The Shield, effectively turning his back on his old teammates, thus not turning heel.

The Xtreme Horsemen
The Xtreme Horsemen was a professional wrestling stable in Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling, and later Major League Wrestling, who disbanded in 2004. The group's name was in homage to the Four Horsemen, who in the 1980s were one of professional wrestling's top draws worldwide. The group came together in Dusty Rhodes' Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling promotion, but the group later left Rhodes' promotion to join Major League Wrestling where Steve Corino and "The Enforcer" C.W. Anderson were joined by former ECW superstars Justin Credible and Simon Diamond. This incarnation was briefly managed by former Four Horsemen manager J. J. Dillon before Major League Wrestling ceased operations. Barry Windham also joined the group for a single War Games match. Corino has used the group name several other times with various teammates in other promotions.

Fortune
Fortune (originally spelled Fourtune) was a professional wrestling stable in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, started by Ric Flair on June 17, 2010, as a "reformed" version of the Four Horsemen. Flair had been loosely associated with A.J. Styles, Desmond Wolfe, Beer Money, Inc. (James Storm and Robert Roode) and Kazarian since April 5, 2010. Flair stated that whoever wanted to join Fortune would have to earn their place in the stable. On July 11 at Victory Road, Styles and Kazarian became the first official members of Fortune by defeating Samoa Joe and Rob Terry in a tag team match. On the July 29 edition of Impact!, Flair made James Storm and Robert Roode the final two members of Fortune. However, on the August 12 edition of Impact! Douglas Williams, who had helped Flair defeat his nemesis Jay Lethal the previous week, and Matt Morgan were added to Fortune as the stable assaulted EV 2.0, a stable consisting of former Extreme Championship Wrestling performers. Fortune later merged with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff's Immortal stable, but turned on them months later, splitting them into two feuding factions. Ric Flair would turn on Fortune and remain associated with Immortal.

The Four Horsewomen
The stable was invoked by mixed martial artists Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir (Invicta Fighter), who named themselves "The Four Horsewomen" in 2013, with the blessing of Anderson and Flair. After Bethe Correia defeated Duke, she held up four fingers and symbolically put one down. She did this again after beating Baszler. As Shafir is not in the UFC, these two wins set the stage for a bantamweight title fight between her and Rousey at UFC 190. Rousey knocked Correia out in 34 seconds.

The group was shown at ringside during WrestleMania 31, where Rousey was later involved in an in-ring segment with The Rock, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Baszler and Rousey first signed with WWE, where the former quickly became the NXT Women's champion, and the latter had a high-profile debut match at Wrestlemania 34 before pursuing and winning the WWE Raw Women's Championship. Duke and Shafir eventually joined the WWE Performance Center, completing the foursome's transition to professional wrestling.

The WWE female wrestlers Charlotte Flair (Ric Flair's daughter), Sasha Banks, Bayley and Becky Lynch have referred to themselves as "The Four Horsewomen" (originally "The Four Horsewomen of NXT" when the four had only been a part of that brand), and posed in ring at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, following a match between Bayley and Banks, each with four fingers held up. The WWE's Four Horsewomen were partly responsible for changing the WWE's Women Division from sex appeal to true athleticism. Banks and Bayley would later form a tag team known as the Boss 'n' Hug Connection.

Both Four Horsewomen groups were at the Mae Young Classic tapings on July 14, 2017, where Baszler defeated Zeda, Mia Yim, Candice LeRae and Mercedes Martinez to advance into the finals, losing to Kairi Sane.

All four of the Four Horsewomen of UFC would reappear on WWE Evolution where Duke and Shafir interfered on Baszler's behalf to win the NXT Women's Championship from Kairi Sane and Rousey defended her WWE Raw Women's Championship against Nikki Bella. All four of the WWE Four Horsewomen would be involved at the event as well: Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch competed in a Last Woman Standing Match while Sasha Banks and Bayley teamed with Natalya to take on The Riott Squad.

The WWE Four Horsewomen would compete against each other with Banks and Bayley (as heels) taking on Lynch and Flair in a tag team match on the September 9, 2019 edition of Raw from the Madison Square Garden, in which the latter team emerged victorious.

Original members

 * Ric Flair (leader) (1985–1989, 1989–1991, 1993, 1995–1997, 1998–1999)
 * Arn Anderson (1985–1989, 1989–1991, 1993, 1995–1997, 1998–1999)
 * Ole Anderson (1985–1987, 1989–1990, 1993)
 * Tully Blanchard (1985–1988)

Later members

 * Lex Luger (1987)
 * Barry Windham (1988–1989, 1990–1991)
 * Sting (1989–1990)
 * Sid Vicious (1990–1991)
 * Paul Roma (May 23, 1993 – December 11, 1993)
 * Brian Pillman (1995–1996)
 * Chris Benoit (1995–1997, 1998–1999)
 * Steve McMichael (1996–1997, 1998–1999)
 * Jeff Jarrett (February 23, 1997 – June 23, 1997)
 * Curt Hennig (August 25, 1997 – September 14, 1997)
 * Dean Malenko (September 14, 1998 – May 24, 1999)

Associates

 * War Machine (1987)
 * Hiro Matsuda (1987)
 * Kendall Windham (1989)
 * Butch Reed (1989)
 * Michael Hayes (1989)
 * David Flair (1999)
 * Brock Anderson (2022)
 * Brian Pillman Jr. (2022)

Managers and valets

 * J. J. Dillon (1985–1989, manager)
 * Baby Doll (Blanchard's valet)
 * Dark Journey (Blanchard's valet)
 * Patty Mullen (biased judge at Clash of the Champions)
 * Hiro Matsuda (manager)
 * Woman (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and Chris Benoit's valet)
 * Miss Elizabeth (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and Chris Benoit's valet)
 * Fifi (Ric Flair's maid during the A Flair for the Gold segment, portrayed by Wendy Barlow, who would marry Flair in September 2018)
 * Debra McMichael (Steve McMichael's wife and later Jeff Jarrett's valet)
 * Bobby Heenan (coach, The Great American Bash (1996) only)
 * Charles Robinson (biased referee, 1999)
 * Double D (Ric Flair's nurse and later valet)
 * Samantha/Torrie (David Flair's valet)

Honorary members

 * Dusty Rhodes (2007)
 * Harley Race (2007)

Championships and accomplishments

 * Jim Crockett Promotions / World Championship Wrestling
 * NWA National Heavyweight Championship (1 time) – Tully Blanchard
 * NWA National Tag Team Championship (1 time) – Ole and Arn Anderson
 * NWA (Mid-Atlantic)/WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (5 times) – Tully Blanchard (1), Lex Luger (1), Barry Windham (1), Ric Flair (1), Steve McMichael (1)
 * NWA World Heavyweight Championship (6 times) – Ric Flair
 * NWA (Mid-Atlantic)/WCW World Tag Team Championship (4 times) – Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard (2), Arn Anderson and Paul Roma (1), Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko (1)
 * NWA/WCW World Television Championship (10 times) – Arn Anderson (4), Tully Blanchard (3), Ric Flair (2), Barry Windham (1)
 * WCW World Heavyweight Championship (8 times) – Ric Flair
 * Pro Wrestling Illustrated
 * Feud of the Year – Four Horsemen vs. The Super Powers and The Road Warriors (1987), Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger (1988), Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk (1989), Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger (1990)
 * Manager of the Year – J. J. Dillon (1988)
 * Match of the Year – Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes (1986), Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat (1989)
 * Most Hated Wrestler of the Year – Ric Flair (1987)
 * Wrestler of the Year – Ric Flair (1985, 1986, 1989)
 * Ric Flair was ranked No. 2 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003
 * WWE
 * WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2012) – Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, and J. J. Dillon
 * Wrestling Observer Newsletter
 * Best Heel – Ric Flair (1990)
 * Best on Interviews – Arn Anderson (1990), Ric Flair (1991, 1994)
 * Feud of the Year – Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk (1989)
 * Match of the Year – Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham (1986), Ric Flair vs. Sting (1988), Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat (1989)
 * Most Charismatic – Ric Flair (1993)
 * Most Outstanding Wrestler – Ric Flair (1986, 1987, 1989)
 * Readers' Favorite Wrestler – Ric Flair (1985–1993)
 * Wrestler of the Year – Ric Flair (1985, 1986, 1989, 1990)


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Members of the Australian House of Representatives

Following are lists of members of the Australian House of Representatives:

 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1901–1903
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1903–1906
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1906–1910
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1910–1913
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1913–1914
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1914–1917
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1917–1919
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1919–1922
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1922–1925
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1925–1928
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1928–1929
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1929–1931
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1931–1934
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1934–1937
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1937–1940
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1940–1943
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1943–1946
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1946–1949
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1949–1951
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1951–1954
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1954–1955
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1955–1958
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1958–1961
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1961–1963
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1963–1966
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1966–1969
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1969–1972
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1972–1974
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1974–1975
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1975–1977
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1977–1980
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1980–1983
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1983–1984
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1984–1987
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1987–1990
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1990–1993
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1993–1996
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1996–1998
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1998–2001
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 2001–2004
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 2004–2007
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 2007–2010
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 2010–2013
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 2013–2016
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 2016–2019
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 2019–2022
 * Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 2022–2025

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Leisler's Rebellion

Leisler's Rebellion was an uprising in late-17th century colonial New York in which German American merchant and militia captain Jacob Leisler seized control of the southern portion of the colony and ruled it from 1689 to 1691. The uprising took place in the aftermath of England's Glorious Revolution and the 1689 Boston revolt in the Dominion of New England, which had included New York. The rebellion reflected colonial resentment against the policies of deposed King James II.

Royal authority was not restored until 1691, when English troops and a new governor were sent to New York. Leisler was arrested by these forces, who tried and convicted him of treason. He was executed, with the revolt leaving the colony polarized, bitterly split into two rival factions, pro-Leislerites, who regarded him as a martyr, and who aligned generally with the British Whig party, and antis, who aligned generally with the British Tories.

Background
English forces took control of New Netherland in 1664 and King Charles II gave the territory to his brother James, then Duke of York, to rule as he pleased. James partitioned off East and West Jersey to other proprietors and established an essentially autocratic government with a strong governor and council but no elected legislature.

James succeeded his brother to the throne in 1685 and established the Dominion of New England the following year. In May 1688, he added New York and the Jerseys to the dominion. Its governor Sir Edmund Andros came to New York that summer to establish his authority and install Francis Nicholson, a captain in the English Army, to administer those colonies as his lieutenant governor.

Nicholson was assisted by a local council but no legislative assembly. He was seen by many New Yorkers as the next in a line of royal governors who "had in a most arbitrary way subverted our ancient privileges". Nicholson justified his actions by stating that the colonists were "a conquered people, and therefore ... could not so much [as] claim rights and priviledges as Englishmen".

In late 1688, the Glorious Revolution deposed the Catholic James and replaced him with the Protestant William III and Mary II. The rule of Andros was highly unpopular, especially in New England, and his opponents in Massachusetts used the change of royal power for their political benefit by organizing an uprising.

On April 18, 1689, a mob formed in Boston led by former Massachusetts political figures, and they arrested Andros and other dominion officials. This led to a cascade of events in which Massachusetts and the other New England colonies rapidly restored their pre-dominion governments.

Rising tensions
Lieutenant Governor Nicholson learned of the uprising in Boston by April 26. He took no steps to announce news of it or of the political upheaval in England for fear of raising prospects of rebellion in New York. Politicians and militia leaders became more assertive on Long Island when they learned of Boston, and dominion officials were ousted from a number of communities by mid-May.

At the same time, Nicholson learned that France had declared war on England, bringing the threat of Franco-Indian attacks on New York's northern frontier. He was also short of troops, since most of the New York garrison had been sent by Andros to deal with Indian activity in Maine. He found that his regulars had also been swayed by populists into believing that he was attempting to impose Catholic rule on New York. He attempted to mollify panicked citizenry over rumored Indian raids by inviting the militia to join the army garrison at Fort James on Manhattan island.

New York's defenses were in poor condition, and Nicholson's council voted to impose import duties to improve them. This action was met with immediate resistance, with a number of merchants refusing to pay the duty. One in particular was Jacob Leisler, a German-born Calvinist merchant and militia captain. Leisler was a vocal opponent of the dominion regime, which he saw as an attempt to impose popery on the province, and he may have played a role in subverting Nicholson's regulars.

On May 22, Nicholson's council was petitioned by the militia, who sought more rapid improvement to the city's defenses and also wanted access to the powder magazine in the fort. This latter request was denied, heightening concerns that the city had inadequate powder supplies. This concern was further exacerbated when city leaders began hunting through the city for additional supplies.

Rebellion
Nicholson made an intemperate remark to a militia officer on May 30, 1689, and the incident flared into open rebellion. Nicholson was well known for his temper, and he told the officer, "I rather would see the Towne on fire than to be commanded by you". Rumors flew around the town that Nicholson was prepared to burn it down. He summoned the officer and demanded that he surrender his commission. Abraham de Peyster was the officer's commander and one of the wealthiest men in the city, and he engaged in a heated argument with Nicholson, after which de Peyster and his brother Johannis, also a militia captain, stormed out of the council chamber.

The militia was called out and descended en masse to Fort James, which they occupied. An officer was sent to the council to demand the keys to the powder magazine, which Nicholson eventually surrendered to "hinder and prevent bloodshed and further mischiefe". The following day, a council of militia officers called on Jacob Leisler to take command of the city militia. He did so, and the rebels issued a declaration that they would hold the fort on behalf of the new monarchs until they sent a properly accredited governor.

Leisler's exact role in the militia uprising is unknown, but a number of observations point to his involvement. He and militia captain Charles Lodewick presented the petition on May 22. Jost Stoll, one of his officers, led the militia to the gates of Fort James, and another of his officers delivered the demand for the keys to the powder magazine. However, none of the depositions which Nicholson collected prior to his departure directly implicates Leisler as a ringleader.

Leisler takes control
At this point, the militia controlled the fort which gave them control over the harbor. When ships arrived in the harbor, they brought passengers and captains directly to the fort, cutting off outside communications to Nicholson and his council. On June 6, Nicholson decided to leave for England and began gathering depositions for use in proceedings there. He left the city on June 10 for the Jersey shore where he hoped to join Thomas Dongan, who was expected to sail for England soon thereafter.

Leisler's control of the province was limited at first. His councilors were Dutch patroons Nicholas Bayard, Stephanus van Cortlandt, and Frederick Philipse, and they were still in the city. They did not recognize his authority, nor did the city's civil administration, with van Cortlandt as mayor. A proclamation was made in Hartford, Connecticut, concerning William and Mary, and both sides of the controversy in New York raced to meet the messenger bringing copies of the proclamation. Leisler's agents won the race, and Leisler published the proclamation on June 22. Two days later, van Cortlandt received a copy of the official notice that William and Mary had prepared for Andros. The transmission of this document had been delayed at the behest of Massachusetts agents in London.

It specifically retained all non-Catholic officeholders until further notice, and technically legitimized the rule of the council in Nicholson's absence. In accordance with this document, van Cortlandt fired the customs collector, who was Catholic, and replaced him with Bayard and others to oversee customs activities. Leisler objected to this assertion of power and descended on the customs house with a troop of militia. Accounts left by both sides of the dispute state that there was a near riot, and Bayard claimed to barely escape being killed by a mob. Bayard then fled to Albany, followed by van Cortlandt a few days later. Philipse withdrew from political life, leaving Leisler in effective control of the city.

On June 26, a convention composed of delegates from a number of communities from lower New York and East Jersey established a committee of safety to oversee affairs. This committee essentially became the nucleus of Leisler's later government. They chose Leisler to be the province's commander-in-chief "till orders shall come from their Majesties."

Through July and August, his hand-picked militia exercised de facto control over the city, financed by provincial funds which Nicholson had deposited in the fort. He was assisted by sympathetic officials from Connecticut who sent a troop of militia to assist in holding the fort. Nicholson's company of regulars was formally disbanded on August 1, about the same time that formal word arrived that France and England were at war.

Leisler dispatched Jost Stoll and Matthew Clarkson to England on August 15 to bolster his position with the government in London. They carried documents intended to support accusations that Nicholson had been conspiring against the people of New York and to justify the propriety of Leisler's actions against his "oppressive" rule. The agents were instructed to request a new charter for the province and to claim that the united colonies could defeat New France without assistance from the home country. He made no specific requests that the new charter include any sort of democratic representation.

An election ordered Leisler's committee of safety formally to turn van Cortlandt out of office in October, consolidating Leisler's command over New York except the Albany area. According to Bayard, the turnout in New York City was extremely low, with barely 100 voters participating. Councilors Bayard and Philipse issued a proclamation on October 20 calling Leisler's rule illegal, and ordered other militia commanders to stop supporting him. The proclamation had no effect.

Resistance in Albany

Leisler's opponents had assumed control of Albany and the immediate area. On July 1, they formally proclaimed William and Mary and, on August 1, established a convention to rule. The convention included local militia leaders and the city fathers of Albany, wealthy landowners from the Hudson River valley, and it became the nucleus of anti-Leisler activities in the province. The convention categorically refused to recognize Leisler's rule unless he presented a commission from William and Mary.

Albany's situation became tense in September when local Indians brought rumors of an imminent attack from French Canada. Leisler was interdicting movement of military supplies up the Hudson, so Albany officials ended up making an appeal to him. He responded by sending Jacob Milborne, a close advisor and future son-in-law, with a militia troop to take military control of Albany in November.

However, the convention objected to the terms that Milborne demanded in exchange for his support, and he was refused entry to the city and Fort Frederick. He was warned by an Iroquois woman that a large body of Indians near Albany saw him as a threat to their friends in Albany and would react if he attempted to assert military control over the area. Milborne returned to New York City. The convention also appealed to the neighboring colonies for military assistance, which Connecticut answered by sending 80 militiamen to Albany in late November.

Leisler finally gained control over Albany early in 1690. He called for elections at Schenectady in January 1690, in a move calculated to divide neighboring communities. In early February, during King William's War, Schenectady was attacked by French and Indian raiders, exposing the weakness of the Albany Convention's position. Each side blamed the other for the failure to defend Schenectady, but Leisler was able to capitalize on the situation. He convinced Connecticut to withdraw its militia and sent his own militia north to take control of the area. The convention capitulated, lacking any significant outside support.

Leisler's rule
A letter arrived in December 1689 from William and Mary addressed to Nicholson or "in his absence to such as for the time being take care for preserving the peace and administering the laws in our said Province of New York". The recipient was instructed to "take upon you the government of the said province". The messenger apparently sought to deliver the message to van Cortlandt and Philipse, but Leisler's militia had him seized. Leisler used this document to claim legitimacy for his governance, began styling himself "lieutenant governor", and established a governor's council to replace the committee of safety.

Leisler then began attempting to collect taxes and customs duties. He was in part successful, although he met with significant resistance from officials opposed to his rule. Some were arrested, and most of those who refused to act on his instructions were replaced. By April 1690, virtually every community in New York had officials appointed by Leisler in some of its posts. These appointed officials represented a cross-section of New York society and included prominent Dutch and English residents.

However, resistance continued to his policies, and he was attacked by a small mob on June 6 who demanded the release of political prisoners and refused to pay taxes which he had imposed. In October 1690, diverse communities protested his rule, from Dutch Harlem to Protestant English Queens County to Albany.

Leisler's principal activity in 1690 was the organization of an expedition against New France. This idea first began to take shape in a meeting in May with representatives from the neighboring colonies. To provide for New York's troops, he ordered merchants to offer up their goods and broke into their storehouses if they did not. He kept a fairly careful account of these activities, and many merchants were later repaid. Connecticut officials were unwilling to grant command to Jacob Milborne, Leisler's choice of commander, citing the experience of their own commanders. Leisler acquiesced to their choice of Fitz-John Winthrop.

The expedition was a complete failure, dissolving amidst disease and difficulties in transport and supply. However, Winthrop did avenge the Schenectady massacre of February 1690, to some extent, by sending a small party north to raid La Prairie, Quebec. Leisler blamed Winthrop for the failure (for which there were numerous causes) and briefly arrested him, eliciting protests from Connecticut Governor Robert Treat.

Royal response
King William III commissioned Colonel Henry Sloughter to be provincial governor in late 1690, but a variety of issues delayed Sloughter's departure from England. His ship was then further delayed by bad weather, and the ship carrying his lieutenant governor Major Richard Ingoldesby was first to arrive in January 1691. Ingoldesby lacked official documents (which were on Sloughter's ship), but he insisted that Leisler surrender the government and Fort James to him.

There was minor skirmishing during six weeks of stubborn resistance on the part of Leisler and stubborn imperious behavior on the part of Ingoldesby, and the city was split into armed camps with several hundred Leisler supporters occupying the fort. Ingoldesby was supported in his efforts by members of the old dominion council. By mid-March, Ingoldesby had surrounded the fort and was threatening to take it by storm. Leisler occasionally had the fort's guns fired at suspicious movements, but these only succeeded in killing a few colonists.

Sloughter arrived in New York amid this tension and proclaimed his commission on March 19, demanding that Leisler surrender the fort. Leisler was not certain that Sloughter was in fact the person appointed, but Jost Stoll had been to London and was able to convince him that Sloughter was legitimate. Leisler then sent emissaries out to negotiate with Sloughter, but he stated that he did not negotiate with his subjects and had them arrested. Leisler repeatedly rebuffed Sloughter's demands, but he was eventually convinced to surrender, probably by his now-restive garrison. Sloughter had Leisler and ten others arrested on charges of treason and imprisoned in the fort which they had just been occupying.

Execution
Sloughter established a special Court of Oyer and Terminer to hear the trials of Leisler and other defendants. Some individuals were not charged, including Abraham De Peyster and Charles Lodewick, the apparent ringleaders of the initial militia action. The panel of judges included a significant number of anti-Leislerians, including Richard Ingoldesby, and was presided over by former dominion official Joseph Dudley. Leisler was arraigned by this court on March 31.

The main charge against him concerned the militant resistance to Ingoldesby's attempts to take control. Leisler and his son-in-law Jacob Milborne both refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the court, and did not enter pleas. Leisler asked for and was granted counsel, even though English law did not mandate it. Most of the other defendants acknowledged the court's legitimacy and pleaded not guilty. On April 1, Leisler was arraigned on a count of murder over an incident that had taken place during his rule.

On April 9, Sloughter convened a new colonial assembly. It passed a bill on April 17 condemning Leisler's government and activities, despite attempts by pro-Leislerians to control the body, and even blamed him for the 1690 Schenectady massacre. Leisler and Milborne were convicted on April 17, after repeated attempts by the court to get them to enter pleas, and they were sentenced to be "hanged, drawn and quartered, and their estates confiscated." No execution was scheduled.

There matters stood until mid-May. By early May, the court had heard 32 cases, convicted and sentenced eight men to death (including Leisler and Milborne), and either acquitted or pardoned the rest. Partisan forces, however, continued to be active. Anti-Leisler forces agitated for his execution, and there were riots on Staten Island in late April, supposedly instigated by Leisler supporters.

Sloughter, however, believed that the executions should be stayed until the king's will could be known. On May 7, he sent reports to the king and the Lords of Trade describing the situation and including the trial transcripts. The letter to the king painted Leisler in an extremely negative light, and neither report mentioned the death sentence.

On May 14, the court refused to transport Leisler and Milborne to England for appeal, and Sloughter's council was dominated by anti-Leislerians who urged him to execute the two men. He acquiesced and signed the death warrants that evening. Nicholas Bayard and others claim that Sloughter was drunk at the time (or at least strongly under the influence of alcohol), and accusations circulated afterward that he had been bribed. On May 16, Leisler and Milborne were executed by hanging.

Leisler is reported to have made a long speech, claiming that he acted "for the glory of the Protestant interest, the establishment of the present government", and to protect the province from outside forces. The remains of the two men were buried beneath the gallows, and their estates were seized by attainder. On May 19, Governor Sloughter issued a proclamation of amnesty for all except about 20 named individuals.

Aftermath
The execution made martyrs of Leisler and Milborne and did nothing to lessen the deep divisions between pro- and anti-Leislerian factions. His supporters sent agents to London, eventually joined by his son Jacob, to petition the government for redress. In January 1692, their petition was heard by the King, and the Lords of Trade recommended pardons for the convicted in April. On, Queen Mary instructed incoming governor Benjamin Fletcher to pardon the six remaining prisoners.

Governor Sloughter's sudden death on July 23, 1691, was viewed in some circles with suspicion that he had been poisoned, although the autopsy indicated that the cause was pneumonia. He left behind a letter in which he claimed to have been "constrained" by the forces around him to order the execution. Other acts during his tenure also sparked comment. Ingoldesby took the reins of government after his death and accused him of pocketing £1,100 intended to pay the troops, and he was said to have seized a prize ship that had been captured and sold at auction during his time in office, and then sold it a second time.

One of Leisler's supporters had stopped in Boston while en route to England and was offered support by Sir William Phips, the new governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. Massachusetts agents in London then worked on behalf of Leisler's heirs to have the attainder reversed and the family properties restored. A bill was introduced into Parliament to do so in 1695, with the assistance of Massachusetts supporters Sir Henry Ashurts and Sir Constantine Henry Phipps. The bill quickly passed in the House of Lords, although anti-Leislerian agents succeeded in having it sent to committee in the lower chamber. It was finally passed on, after extensive hearings in which Joseph Dudley defended his actions by accusing Leisler of improperly seizing power because he was a foreigner. It received the royal assent the next day.

However, it was not until 1698 that Leisler's heirs finally received their due. The Earl of Bellomont arrived that year, commissioned as New York's governor in 1695 and an outspoken supporter of Leisler in the parliamentary debate. He died in office in 1701, but during his tenure he placed pro-Leislerians in key positions in his government. He oversaw the restoration of the family estate, and had the bodies of Leisler and Milborne properly reburied in the yard of the Dutch Reform Church.

Pro- and anti-Leisler factions remained in contention at the provincial level until the arrival of Governor Robert Hunter in 1710. Over time, the Leislerians tended to associate with the English Whig faction, and the anti-Leislerians with the English Tories. Hunter was a Whig who generally favored the Leislerians, but he was able to calm the bitterness that existed between the factions.

Significance
Some historians, including the American historian K. Waterman, see the rebellion primarily as a Dutch revolt against English authority. However, Leisler failed to win the backing of the Dutch Reformed Church. Leisler, the son of a German Reformed minister, exploited popular anti-Catholic sentiment and was primarily supported by artisans and small traders who opposed the dominion of wealthy merchants such as the patroons.

Leisler's Rebellion follows a pattern, however, with other rebellions in the same period: Bacon's Rebellion in 1676, the 1689 Boston revolt that deposed Andros, 1683's failed Gove's Rebellion in New Hampshire, Culpeper's Rebellion in North Carolina in 1677, and the Protestant Rebellion against the Catholic-dominated government in Maryland in 1689.

title: Leisler's Rebellion


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User talk:Prozaic

Welcome
Hello, and welcome to Wikipedia. Thank you for your contributions. I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are a few good links for newcomers: I hope you enjoy editing here and being a Wikipedian! By the way, you can sign your name on Talk and vote pages using three tildes, like this: ~ ~ ~. Four tildes (~ ~ ) produces your name and the current date. If you have any questions, see the help pages, add a question to the village pump or ask me on my Talk page. Again, welcome! --Whosyourjudas (talk) 01:57, 15 Oct 2004 (UTC)
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Speedy deletion of Sandbox/Toby Loves Taryn
A tag has been placed on Sandbox/Toby Loves Taryn, requesting that it be speedily deleted from Wikipedia. This has been done under section G1 of the criteria for speedy deletion, because the page appears to have no meaningful content or history, and the text is unsalvageably incoherent. If the page you created was a test, please use the sandbox for any other experiments you would like to do. Feel free to leave a message on my talk page if you have any questions about this.

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Fossil Mountain (Alberta)

Fossil Mountain is a mountain located south of Skoki Mountain in Banff National Park, Canada. The mountain was named in 1906 by M.P. Bridgland, of the first ascent party, after the numerous fossils that can be found on its slopes.

Fossil Mountain is the site of the first known skiing fatality in the Canadian Rockies. On April 7, 1933, Raymond Paley died in a slab avalanche when he attempted to ski down the mountain after skiing almost to the top.

In February 1988, cousins Dan and Wayne Hugo (29 and 27 respectively) were hiking and skiing on Fossil Mountain when an avalanche, which they may have triggered, occurred. They both died.

Routes
The scrambling route ascends easy scree slopes from Deception Pass. Due to these easy slopes, the mountain is sometimes ascended in winter by skiers.

title: Fossil Mountain (Alberta)


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Spirodela

Spirodela is a genus of aquatic plants, one of several genera containing plants commonly called duckweed. Spirodela species are members of the Araceae under the APG II system. They were formerly members of the Lemnaceae.

Description
Spirodela species are free-floating plants that have their stem transformed into leaf-like structures called fronds; each plant is represented by a frond with roots, therefore they do not have leaves. Two to five plants may remain connected to each other.

Plants are green, but may turn red due to the presence of anthocyanin. Multiple roots (5 to 20, depending on the species) emerge from each frond. Spirodela is larger (10 mm) than Lemna (2 mm – 5 mm, with one root per frond).

Certain species of Spirodela overwinter as turions, dormant starchy shoots that lack air pockets, which sink to the bottom of the water. In spring, turions rise to the surface and germinate.

Spirodela often forms floating mats with related species (e.g. Lemna and Wolffia).

The genus is virtually cosmopolitan in distribution.

Species
There are currently 2 recognized species in this genus:
 * 1) Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid. - cosmopolitan
 * 2) Spirodela intermedia W.Koch

title: Spirodela


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User talk:Kiwi~enwiki

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Good News Week

Good News Week is an Australian satirical panel game show hosted by Paul McDermott that aired from 19 April 1996 to 27 May 2000, and 11 February 2008 to 28 April 2012. The show's initial run aired on ABC until being bought by Network Ten in 1999. The show was revived for its second run when the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike caused many of Network Ten's imported US programs to cease production.

Good News Week drew its comedy and satire from recent news stories, political figures, media organisations, and often, aspects of the show itself. The show opened with a monologue by McDermott relating to recent headlines, after which two teams of three panellists competed in recurring segments to gain points.

The show has spawned three short-lived spin-off series, the ABC's Good News Weekend (1998), Ten's GNW Night Lite (1999) and Ten's skit-based Good News World (2011).

Format
Good News Week's format is based on that of the British program Have I Got News For You, although host Paul McDermott says that the idea behind the show, "of looking at the news in a satirical way, the week's events, 'this is the week that was', goes back to early radio programs." Executive producer Ted Robinson has said that the show's humour is usually less genteel than Have I Got News For You as the British series is aimed at an older, over-fifty audience whereas Good News Week is most popular among the 18 to 39 age group. "We are at the rabid mongrel end of the market," he says.

Monologue
McDermott opens each show with a scripted monologue in which he dissects newsworthy events in a humorous manner. He concludes by declaring, "and that's the good news!" and throwing his newspaper clippings in the air, after which an air cannon expels more newspaper clippings all over the stage. The episode's six panellists, divided into two teams, are then introduced. Teams are captained by the two regular panellists, radio comedian Mikey Robins and stand-up comedian Claire Hooper, who replaced stand-up comedian Julie McCrossin in the second run. The four guest panellists consist of a combination of comedians, media personalities and occasionally politicians.

Recurring segments
The monologue is followed by a number of recurring segments. Over a series of rounds, the competing teams attempt to score points by participating in games relating to the news of the week. However, McDermott often allocates additional points such as for flattery, particularly witty comments, creative incorrect answers or to orchestrate the defeat of Robins' team. Similarly, he may confiscate them such as for heckling, misbehaviour or poor, "dad joke" type humour. Each segment is concluded with a short monologue by McDermott about the news story of game, and the whole show concluded by a monologue discussing "the good news for the week ahead". Other than McDermott's monologues, the show is entirely unscripted although some parts of the show require rehearsal when using certain types of props. Each episode usually features four to six different games in addition to the regular segment "Strange But True".

Initial run (1996–2000)
The series premiered on the ABC on 12 April 1996, with an initial order of 50 episodes. The ABC was initially apprehensive about executive producer Ted Robinson's choice of Paul McDermott for host. He had dreadlocks at the time, and was best known for the crude, aggressive "bad boy" character he had played in the Doug Anthony All Stars. In addition, it was doubted that he was capable of ad libbing and speaking well, as in past interviews he had usually allowed his fellow band members to do most of the talking. McDermott cut off his dreadlocks for the show and succeeded in broadening his appeal by showing a gentler, more charming side as host. He has said that although he feels there are still elements of his more aggressive character in Good News Week, they are "toned down... I've got to be the generous host now, spin-the-wheel sort of thing. I'm basing myself on Mike Brady now. I'm the disciplinarian." Mikey Robins was a part of the series from its beginning as one of the team captains. Both Amanda Keller and Anthony Ackroyd briefly participated as the second team captain before Julie McCrossin took on the role.

The show initially struggled to gain a following, and McDermott admits that the early shows were "a little wobbly" and that he was not quite sure of the role he was supposed to be playing. "After only six episodes the critics said we were goners," says Robins. "In fact, the first publicity we got said we were axed." In late 1996, while facing budget cuts, the ABC announced the cancellation of Good News Week, but later reversed the decision. The series grew in popularity and by 1997 was attracting an average of 750,000 viewers nationally, occasionally beating commercial stations in the ratings.

The show was filmed at the ABC Studios in Gore Hill for its 1996–1999 seasons, then production moved to its old home at Global Television Studios in North Ryde, for its 1999–2000 seasons.

In 1999, Network Ten purchased the rights to Good News Week in a reported $6 million deal after outbidding the Seven Network, the Nine Network and the ABC. The show's move to commercial television sparked outrage among some fans, who felt that this was a 'sell-out', but the show's staff expressed optimism about the change, describing it as a new challenge and a chance to reinvent themselves. Robins has described ABC as a channel that allows new talent to find their feet, and argued that as Good News Week had achieved this it was time to move on and make way for other performers. He added that Ten had allowed the writers great artistic freedom, perhaps even more than the ABC had permitted. "We can be even crueller about the Government without getting messages from on high," he said. The show retained all of its stars and the majority of writers and technical staff after the transition.

Among the show's guest panellists were Adam Spencer, Margaret Scott, Peter Berner, Amanda Keller, Tanya Bulmer, Anthony Morgan, Rod Quantock, Rove McManus, Johanna Griggs and Hugh Jackman, as well as several political figures such as Democrat senator Natasha Stott Despoja, then-Minister for Justice and Customs Amanda Vanstone and Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Tim Fischer. Amanda Keller, a frequent panellist, advised guests of the show to "talk, no matter what... Err on the side of verbal diarrhoea because they can always cut things out."

Ten cancelled the series in 2000, but early in 2001 announced that it had struck a deal for a limited series of Good News Week specials and debates.

Second run (2008–2012)
While Network Ten had initially intended only to bring back Good News Week as a one-off special, the short supply of US shows resulting from the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike caused the network to take an interest in developing more local programs and the show returned as a weekly series. The revived series premiered on 11 February 2008 with McDermott reprising his role as host. Robins returned as a team captain and comedian Claire Hooper replaced McCrossin as the opposing captain.

Many segments from the show's initial run, such as "What's the Story?", "Strange But True", "Magazine Mastermind", "Buzzers of Death" and "Warren", were largely unchanged, while others were updated or renamed such as "So You Think You Can Mime?" (formerly "Bad Street Theatre") and "Blow Up Your Pants" (formerly "Scattergories"). New segments included "Couch Potato" and "Dirty Sexy Fast Money", the show's weekly final challenge. The original theme, "It's Good News Week" by Hedgehoppers Anonymous, was also updated with a cover version performed by McDermott.

Online presence was another new aspect of the show, with full episodes, extended monologues, behind-the-scenes footage and video blogs by McDermott made viewable on the Ten website. Viewers were also able to vote online for the GNW Awards, special season finale shows offering awards for newsmakers during the year in fields such as sport, entertainment, politics and religion.

The show's return was well received, maintaining steady ratings in a competitive time slot and often being extended from 60 to 90 minutes of run time (including commercials). McDermott was also nominated for a Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television in 2010.

The show returned to its former home, at ABC Studios in Ultimo, for its 2008–2010 seasons. In 2011, production moved to Fox Studios in Sydney.

In 2011, the show was placed on hiatus following various programming changes by Network Ten. A skit-based spin-off named Good News World starring McDermott, Robins, Hooper and several regular Good News Week guests, was produced for the later half of 2011. Neither show was renewed for 2012, however a finale special for Good News Week was filmed at the 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival and televised on 28 April.

Good News Weekend (1998)
In 1998, a ten-week series entitled Good News Weekend aired on the ABC in the Saturday night time slot usually occupied by Roy and HG, who were away working in Britain at the time. The show was hosted by McDermott and featured regular team captains Robins and McCrossin. Unlike the weekly show, Good News Weekend was focussed more strongly on popular culture than the news and frequently featured musical guests and stand-up performers. The shows were broadcast live, with the exception of a few prerecorded sketches.

GNW Night Lite (1999)
During 1999, a second spin-off was created for Network Ten. GNW Night Lite featured the regular cast, in addition to Flacco and The Sandman. Like Good News Weekend, it was focussed on music and variety and games tended to relate to popular culture rather than current events. There would also generally be a musical act and Flacco and The Sandman would perform humorous monologues and dialogues between segments. McDermott describes the show as having been "a fairly radical departure" and says that they initially struggled with it, but by 2000 had found a combination with which they were comfortable.

Good News World (2011)
In 2011, Network Ten announced they would be resting the Good News Week panel format and introducing a skit-based spin-off titled Good News World. McDermott, Robins and Hooper returned as regular cast members, along with Good News Week regulars Tom Gleeson, Akmal Saleh, Cal Wilson, Sammy J and Randy. The show was poorly received, with criticisms centring on its scripted nature and lack of spontaneity in comparison to the original Good News Week format.

Other media
Several items of merchandise were available from ABC stores including
 * Two books (Good News Week Book One, Good News Week Book Two)
 * Two CDs (Paul McDermott Unplugged: The Good News Week Tapes Volume 1, and Live Songs from Good News Week: The Good News Week Tapes Volume 2)
 * VHS video (Good News Week: Unseen and Obscene).

Logie Awards
In 1999 and 2000, Good News Week was nominated for two Logie Awards in the categories of Most Popular Comedy Program and Most Outstanding Comedy Program. Host, Paul McDermott was nominated for the Gold Logie award in 2010 for his role on this show.

ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards are a set of annual ceremonies presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.

! Ref.
 * 1998 || Unplugged Good News Week Tapes Volume 1 || ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release || Won ||
 * 1998 || Unplugged Good News Week Tapes Volume 1 || ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release || Won ||

title: Good News Week


text:
Talk:Gangaramaya Temple

[Untitled]
Copyright infringement? Compare to http://www.gangarama.lk/htmls/history.htm

Deleted content
The following material was deleted because it seemed tangential to the temple. Perhaps some of it could be used in another article.

When Ven. Sumangala had completed 20 years of age, in 1848, he received Higher Ordination at Malwathu Vihara Uposhathagara. His scholary work of Pali poems presented to the Sangha Sabha on this occasion was highly commended.

He continued his studies at the same Pirivena, where he was later appointed as an assistant teacher, by Walane Sri Siddhartha Thero. All the books of the day were written on ola leaves. One of the foremost requirements of the day, was to make available sufficient books. The book had to be revised adding glossaries etc. The Centre selected for this purpose was the preaching hall of Pelmadulla vihara, built by the Iddamalgoda Bandara, her Basnayake Nilame of Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devale. The revision was done under Ven. Sumangala’s supervision. But unfortunately, with the passing away of Ven. Walane Sri Siddhartha Thero, this project had to be abandoned. Ven. Sumangala had to assume duties as the Head of Paramadhammacetiya Pirivena. Here too, he could not continue with this work for long. The Buddhists of Colombo requested him establish a Pirivena in Colombo.

At the request of Don Phillip de Silva Epa Appu, Ven. Sumangala, started the task of establishing a Pirivena in Colombo. Initially he started a residential course at Paramananda Vihara, Kotahena. Vidyodaya Pirivena was started in 1873, with seven students.

(Two years later, in1875, Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena was established by Ven. Ratmalane Dhammaloka Thero.) The syllabus of the Pirivena included subjects such as Pali, Sinhala, Sanaskrit, Prakrit, Grammar, Prosody etc. With the establishment of the two Pirivenas began the revival of Sinhala culture and the discipline of the Dhamma. Gradually, the quality as well as the number of students of the Pirivena improved. Students, who received their education here, established branches in many parts of the island. Intenational Service of Ven. Sri Sumanagala Thero

Ven. Sumanagala’s incomparable display of erudition, energetic nature and piety were spoken of far and wide, energetic nature and piety were spoken of far and wide, even internationally. The arrival of Col. Olcott in Ceylon gave an impetus to his activities. Under this Thero’s guidance, the Theosophical Society, Ananda College (Colombo) and the Mahabodhi Society were established. Publication of "Sinhala Bauddhaya" Paper was also a feature that emerged about that time.

Indian Pundits of the calibre of Satischandra Vidyabhushana and Sarveshwara Chairman who associated with him praised his scholarly attainments and work of erudition. In books written about Ceylon (Sri Lanka) he was referred to as the ‘High Priest of Ceylon’. The various English Governor Generals appointed in his time, consulted him first, in all national and religious matters.

This was a period when many public debates were conducted on matters like religion, language, grammar etc. Ven. Summangala was the leader or the advisor in most of these debates. He Was an author. He produced works of outstanding quality, where he displayed exceptional knowledge of the Pali language and Sanskrit grammar. Apart from the Indian scholars mentioned above, his scholarly circle consisted of learned Sinhala Bhikkhus such as Ven. Mahagoda Sri Gnaneshwara, Heiyantuduwe Siri Devamitta, Bihalpola Siri Devarakkhita, Kahawe Siri Ratanasara, Dewundara Siri Saranankara Yagirala Sri Pragnananda, and lay pundits such as P.P. Wickramaarachchi. His guidance was given to Anagarika Dharmapala and the famous debater Ven. Mohottiwatte Gunananda. Prestigious titles were bestowed on him. The titles of Tripitakavagishwaracharya, was a title that had not been conferred from the time of Jayawardhane Pura period. In Ven. Sumanagala was found a worthy recipient. This prrestigious title was bestowed on him, on his outstanding piety, discipline and erudition. He was also honored with the title of Maha Nayaka of Southern and Western Provinces. Though not advanced in age he also was made the Sri Pada Nayaka Thero. He had no connections lineally or with Sabaragamuwa and was only 40 years. Of age, but had excellent qualifications to receive this distinguished title.

This Bhikkhu, of great virtue and attainments in Dhamma and literature, rendered an immeasurable service to Buddha Sasana and the Sinhala nation. After a brief illness he passed away on the 11th of April 1911, at the ripe old age of 84.

The architect of the present day Gangaramaya (Hunupitiya) was Dewundara Sri Jinaratana Thero, the chief pupil of Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumanagala. He was born on the ................ in Dewundara. His father was Don Francisco Mahanama Abhayawardana, a descendant of Mahanama, the Prime Minister of King Dapulusena who ruled over Dewundara. His mother was Dona Gimara Alahapperuma.

After his primary education, he was ordanined as Dewundara Jinaratana Thero, by Ven. Angahawatte Ratanajothi of Dewundara Paramavicitrarama, the Chief Incumbent.

Education and Higher Ordination

Ven. Dewundara Jinaratana received his education under the tutelage of Ven. Angahawatte Rathanajothi and Dodampahala Dipankara. In 1873, he was admitted to Vidyodaya Pirivena, where he proved to be a student of outstanding ability. In 1879 he received Higher Ordination at Malwatu Vihara, as the Chief Pupil of Hikkaduwe Sumanaga Thero.

Appointment as the Head of Gangaramaya

Ven. Dewundara Sri Jinaratana was made the Head of Gangaramaya, while Ven. Sri Sumangala was alive.

At that time, the imposing Gangaramaya of today was only a little hermitage built on a bit of marshy land, on the bank of Beira Lake. Ven. Jinaratana was treated with great affection, by the Buddhists and non-Buddhists of the area. He had an exuberant personality. Within a short time with the co-operation of the people of the area - both Buddhists and non-Buddhists he transformed the little Avasa into the fully equipped temple of today. He began acts of worship, which the devotees of the area were longing for. The place became rather noisy with the ringing of bells and beating of drums, at the pujas. This was a headache for an army General, who lived in the vicinity. His aim was to chase Ven. Jinaratana and destroy the temple. The monk was too clever for the General. Finally, it was the General who had to move away from his residence. Gradually Gangaramaya became an important place of Buddhist worship. It also began to serve the three Nikayas for their practice of Vinaya Traditions.

At that time, the temples in the city of Colombo were compelled to pay the usual rates, to the Municipality. Ven. Jinaratana negotiated with the authorities and got exempted from the rates.

The old Simamalaka was also repaired in his time, by the generosity of Mr. S.H. Moosajee.

He practised Dana very generously and gave alms and Pirikara to thousands of monks. He provided accommodation and other facilities to many Bhikkhus who came for their education from far away places.

He was also acclaimed as a preacher who disseminated the Buddha Dhamma with clarity and ease.

He produced ola books whenever he had spare time he was seen with stylus and ola leaves. He also collected rare ola books, with the help of friends and pupils. They are preserved in the Gangaramaya today. He was keen to make these valuable books accessible to the public. He saw the need to have a printing press to achieve this end. Through the generosity of Mr. J. Hlomes Pollock a Scotsman, this requirement was fulfilled. Ven. Jinaratana started the Jinalankara Printing Press in 1890. As a result Ven. Jinaratana’s dream of making books available to the general public became a reality. More than fifty books, including Pansiya Panas Jatakaya, were printed and distributed. Today many modern features are added and is a fully equipped printing press.

He was a collector of antiques. Gangaramaya has a Valuable collection of relics of the Buddha, elephant tusks and rare artefacts acquired locally and from abroad.

On his tours to Siam (Thailand) and Burma (Myanmar) he received royal honours. Culalakara, the king of Siam promised to give an award called ‘Syamarajathagaya’ to Vidyodaya Pirivena. Another Siamese king gifted a Siamese Tripitaka to Sri Lanka, to show his appreciation of Ven. Jinaratana.

He was able to expand the temple premises by acquiring land around it.

In honour of his services, the committee of Malwatu Vihara, made him the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Kolamba Nava Korale on 20th June 1926 a position made vacant by the passing away of Ven. Kahawe Sri Sumangala Ratanasara Thero. Ven. Jinaratana was also the Head of Maligakanda Vidyodaya Pirivena, Hikkaduwe Thilakaramaya and Nalagasdeniy Vihara. His distinguised pupils included Ven. Mahagoda Sri Gnaneshwara, Ven. Walane Sri Sattissara, The head of Ratmalane Paramadhammacetiya Pirivena, Ven. Morontuduwe Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Thero of Sri Pada, Ven. Dewundara Sri Vacissara, who later became the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya and Avissawella Wimalananda Thero. Gangaramaya today serves Buddhism and the Sinhala nation in numerous ways and is one of the most important temples in the capital.

This noble member of the Maha Sangha passed away one the 20th of May 1954.

The chief incumbent of Gangaramaya after the demise of Ven. Mahopadhaya Dewundara Sri Jinaratana was Ven. Keerthi Sri Sumangala Jinaratana Vacissara Thero. He was born on the 23rd of September 1902 in Dewundara and was named Mahagammullageyi Don Rapiyel Abhayawardane. His Father was Don Pediris Abhyawardane, a descendant of Mahanama, a Minister in the Court of King Dapulusen of Dewundara. His mother Dona Sisiliyana Abesuriya Ratnayake belonged to a respected family of Udarata (up country). He was also a nephew of Ven. Dewundara Jinaratana. After he received his primary education up to the age of 13 years, the parents who were very pious decided to hand him over to Gangaramaya. He was ordained at an auspicious time on the 18th of June 1916, as Dewundara Vacissara. His teachers were Dewundara Siri Jinaratana, Mahagoda Sri Gnaneshwara, Kahawe Ratnasara and Hikkaduwe Pemananda Theros.

Education and Higher Ordination

He entered Vidyodaya Pirivena and studied Pali, Sanskrit, Sinhala, Dharma Vinaya and Grammar. He was a keen student and proved to be a great scholar, when he had completed his 20th year he received Higher Ordination on the 21st of June 1923, at Malwatu Vihara.

Education and Higher Ordination

He entered Vidyodaya Pirivena and studied Pali, Sanskrit, Sinhala, Dharma Vinaya and Grammar. He was a keen student and proved to be a great scholar, when he had completed his 20th year he received Higher Ordination on the 21st of June 1923, at Malwatu Vihara.

In 1928 he was appointed as an assistant teacher of Vidyodaya Pirivena by Kahawe Sri Ratanasara Thero, the Vice Principal (of Vidyodaya Pirivena) He had to teach many subjects to hundreds of students. His knowledge of English enabled him to join the staff of Nalanda Vidyalaya in 1929. Most of his pupils scattered in various parts of the island are even today, performing national and social service. While working as a teacher in both these institutions, he continued to improve Gangaramaya. The old image house was replaced by an artistic Vihara Mandiraya. He with the help of well-wishers, acquired some additional land and constructed a three storeyed Pirivena Hall, and a residential hall for the Bhikkhus. A library too was started. His aim was to produce virtuous and learned Bhikkhus. Therefore he established the "Sri Jinaratana Bhikkhu Training Centre on the 8th of November 1954, and the Sri Gnaneswara Pirivena in 1955. These two institutions have rendered immensurable service to the novices. Bhikkhus who had free accommodation in the hostel and were educated here, are now serving in various parts of the country. Some of these learned Bhikkhus are working in foreign countries, propagating the Buddha Dhamma. This it has been possible for Mahayana countries to acquire a knowledge of the philosophy of Theravada and maintain cordial relationships with the Sri Lanka Bhikkhus. He laid the foundation for the Sri Jinaratana Vocational Training Centre and the Sri Jinaratana English Academy. Today they are a blessing to thousands of students, with the financial support of local and foreign philanthropists these establishment are progressing. The Buddhist Centres in New York and Tanzania were initiated by him. In recognition of his services he was made the Sangha Nayaka of Kolamba Kadawat Satara, by the committee of Malwatu Viharaya in 1954. He was treated with respect and affection by His excellency William Gopallewa the Governor General and Lady Gopallewa.

More and more books were printed at the Jinalankara Printing Press, Pali and Sinhala which included works such as Sinhala Stupavamsa, Pali Stupavamsa, Chatubhanavarapali, Dharmapradeepika, Kawusilumina, Kusajataka Kavya, Lowedasangarawa and Sinhala Pansiyapanas Jatakaya. A language laboratory was established to teach foreign languages. Every encouragement was given to the Bhikkhus to sit the ancient Pracheena Examinations. Simamalaka in the Beira Lake was modernised and a Cetiya and a Samadhi Statue of the Buddha were consturcted. This place has now become a tourist attraction. Every effort was made by him to improve the Avissawella Sudharmaramaya.

He made pilgrimages to Siam (Thailand) Malaysia and India. The present incumbent of Gnagaramaya Ven. Glaboda Gnanissara Nayake Thero is his Chief Pupil.

From 1962 Ven. Dewundara Vacissar’s eyesight was impaired and his health deteriorated. He passed away on the 23rd of May 1984.

Ven. Galboda Siri Gnanissara was born on the 13th of December 1943. His parents were Galboda Kankanamge Dona Juwanis and Amarawickrama Liyanage Selenahamy.

After his primay education at ................... he was brought to Gangaramaya by Ven. Galboda Dewananda. He was given over to Ven. Dewundara Vacissara Thero. On that occasion, Ven. Dewananda made a prediction. "This boy was born under Sinha Lagna (Planetaria sign of Leo) and will be like a lion in the future."

On the 8th of November 1954 at an auspicious time he was ordained as Galboda Gnanissara. Dewundara Ratanajothi was also one of his teachers. His lay sponsor was Dr. D.E. Vijewardane.

"If you do well, Podi Hamuduruwo, (small monk) I’ll send you even to England for your studies" he made a promise on that day. On the same day was established the Sri Gnaneshwara Pirivena at Gangaramaya with a few novices. Ven. Galboda Gnanissara studied the Dhamma and other essential subjects at this Pirivena. On the 21st of June 1967 at the University of Vidyodaya. (Jayawardhanapura).

From 1961, Ven. Dewundara Vacissara Thero began to suffer from an eye complaint. As it worsened, Podi Hamuduruwo (Ven. Gnanissara) had to give up further studies. He had to shoulder the burden of carrying on the various projects - both religious and national - that his teacher had started. Due to his forunate birth (good Karma) wisdom, and indefatigable energy, whaterver he set his mind on, became a success. Such vast and varied projects have received praise and appreciation from the Buddhist clergy and the laymen alike.

The international recognition of Gangaramaya, is due mainly to the efforts of Podi Hamuduruwo. He is instrunemtal in counteracting the anti-Buddhist forces and strengthening the power of the Buddhist in the country in general and in Colombo especially.

He has performed an immense service to the under-privileged youths and traditional artists.

He has revived and developed the services initiated by his predecessors. He had the willing support of the various committees of Gangaramaya, as well as that of the highest in the land. They were the Governor General William Gopallewa, Presidents J.R. Jayewardene and R. Premadasa the first woman Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranayake and her family and the Ratwatte family. He has the inherent ability to attract goodwill and support. This quality has enabled him to active his selfless aims. All the constructions on the Vihara premises are completed artistically. The Vihara premises are completed artistically. The Vihara Mandira, Atavisi Buddha Pooja Mandira, Bodhimandapa, the preaching hall and the Simamalaka are works of art and inspire saddha in the devotees. Today Beira Lake and its environs are serenely beautiful and from a Buddhist colony, which attracts thousands of tourists annually.

Sumangala Dhamma School and the Pre-school on the little island named Singithi Uyana, make their valuable contributions to wards the education of children.

Sri Jinaratana Vocational Training Centre was established to give professional training to thousands of unemployed and half-educated youths. Many people learn the English language at the English Academy. These are people who would have had no access to the English language due to financial difficulties. The vocational centre was established with the aim of finding selfemployment for thousands of drop-outs from school. Today there are many branches of the Centre in various parts of the island, performing this useful service.

Various services carried on under the guidance of Ven. Gnanissara are many. Printing of books in Sinhala and Pali, necessary for Bhikkhu education was started in 1890. Ven. Gnanissara is Continuing with this valuable work. The library contains thousands of books on Buddhism as well as on a variety of subjects.

The Museum has very rare objects, some of which are said to bring about good fortune and prosperity. The Gajamuthu (Elephant pearls) and the conch with clock-wise whirls are some of them. Ancient coins of gold and other metals, antique brass copper objects with intricate carving and ola books are on display in the museum.

At the time of Ven. Vacissara’s demise, in 1984 the temple possessed four pairs of small and medium elephant tusks. Today the number has risen to twenty-two.

Ven. Gnanissara’s pets are pachyderms- elephants. All six of the elephants are treated with love and affecton. One can see Ven. Gnanissara feeding them with plantains. When Raja, the elephant which carried the Relics Casket in the historic Dalada Perahera of Kandy died, Navam Raja, one of Ven. Gnanissara’s elephants was gifted. Since then Navam Raja had gone in the Perahera, to perform this noble task.

Dhatumandira houses the relics of the Buddha and Arahant Seevali.

Kataragama Pilgrims Rest and the Homes for the disabled and the Elderly at Madiwela, Kotte, are the results of Ven. Gnanissara’s planning ability and the enthusiasm to serve the needy. A new scheme that is being implemented is to build a village of new houses for one hundred families at Kataragama and provide them with basic needs.

Ven. Gnanissara has been instrumental in providing the under privileged temples with toilets, bathrooms, three-wheelers, robes, shavers and other requisites. All the approved Pirivenas in Sri Lanka 563 in number, have been supplied with sets of office requirements through the generosity of Podi Hamuduruwo.

The annual Navam Perahera which began in 1979 with support from the late President R. Premadasa, is a festival of arts. Many dancers and other artistes get the opportunity to display their talents. These art forms, which are fading due to the arrival of Western culture are revived by this venture the Perahera.

The temple in Staten Island (U.S.A.). Birmingham Vihara (U.K.) and the Buddhist Centre in Dar-es-Salam in Tanzania, are affiliated to Gangaramaya and are receiving the necessary guidance in their activities.

Through the activities of Podi Hamuduruwo, Gangaramaya has gained fame both nationally and internationally.

Ven. Gnanissara the ever energetic Bhikkhu became the Head of Gangaramaya at quite a young age. The prediction of Ven. Devananda, when he handed over the young lad (who later was to be Podi Hamuduruwo) the Ven. Vacissara, has to be judged in the light of what Podihamuduruwo has achieved so successfully.

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i tried adding a third image but for some reason the first two disappeared from the final edit. they are one of a temple, another of a monk. The third is an elephant. thanks

title: Talk:Gangaramaya Temple


text:
The Gift of Game

The Gift of Game is the debut studio album by American band Crazy Town. It was released on November 9, 1999, in the U.S. by Columbia Records. The album yielded the band its biggest hit with "Butterfly" which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on March 24, 2001.

Worldwide the album sold more than 2.5 million units, with more than 1.6 million in the US alone.

Background
The band refused to cede its official website to Columbia Records (as per a contract clause), so the record label barred the group from advertising it on the album's artwork. The band circumvented the ban by adding a last-minute outro to the album, titled after the website (www.crazytown.com), and in which the URL is repeating multiple times.

The girl licking the lollipop on the cover of the album is a fictional character created by Crazy Town, known as "Little Lolita". Both the album title and the picture of Little Lolita are based on lyrics from the song "Lollipop Porn". The album cover was designed by co-lead singer Shifty Shellshock's father and uncle. A song titled "Lolita" later appeared on Shellshock's solo album Happy Love Sick and her image reappears on Crazy Town's third album The Brimstone Sluggers.

Reception
Steve Huey at AllMusic described the album as "similar to many other rap-inflected alternative metal albums in that it concentrates on sound over structure, creating macho, aggressive grooves with grinding, noisily textured guitars and the underlying feel of squared-off hip-hop beats". Huey argued that despite signs of Limp Bizkit's "juvenile humor", the album "shows promise". April Long of NME criticized the album for its generic guitar riffs, and containing "some of the most Neanderthal lyrics ever written".

About the album's lyrics, Shifty Shellshock said: "We're just having a good time. We're not like political or anything. I can be very sarcastic just like a little punk, we talk a lot of trash. We have some points, like 'learn from your mistakes', 'check yourself', you know, 'don't get taken advantage of'. Real simple things, nothing too overwhelming".

Track listing

 * Tracks 15 to 31 are blank, and are each 5 seconds in length.

Personnel
Crazy Town
 * Epic – vocals; keyboards
 * Shifty Shellshock – vocals
 * Rust Epique – guitars
 * Anthony Valli – guitars
 * Doug Miller – bass
 * DJ AM – turntables
 * James Bradley Jr. – drums

Additional personnel
 * Troy Van Leeuwen – guitars on "Darkside"
 * Jay Gordon – keyboards on "Darkside", refrain in "Black Cloud"
 * Stephen Costantino – guitars on "Revolving Door" and "Hollywood Babylon"
 * KRS-One

title: The Gift of Game