Von Willebrand’s disease is a hereditary condition that affects an estimated 1 percent of the population.

Typically less severe than the bleeding condition called Hemophilia that targets males, von Willebrand’s disease affects adults and children of both genders. For members of those families who are affected, bleeding from an operation or serious injury can pose a major concern.

A Lack of Awareness

Many individuals are unaware that they even have this condition, sources say.

In addition, many primary-care physicians and other front-line medical professionals are not well-versed when it comes to von Willebrand’s disease. As a result, they may tend to overlook or fail to recognize tell-tale signs of this bleeding disorder.

Common Symptoms

Though von Willebrand’s disease is potentially fatal in rare instances, 70 to 80 percent of cases are classified as mild to moderate.

Typical symptoms include:

• Frequent nose-bleeds
• Bloody gums
• Easy bruising

Because of their physiology, women tend to be affected more often by symptoms of von Willebrand’s disease. For them, the most common symptom is heavy menstrual bleeding.

Understanding the Cause

Researchers have learned a great deal about von Willebrand’s disease since its discovery more than 80 years ago. The disease is named for Finnish physician Erik von Willebrand, who first described the condition in 1925.

In recent decades three major types of von Willebrand’s Disease have been identified. These classifications are based on the quantity and quality of a key blood protein that is called, fittingly enough, von Willebrand factor.

Our bodies have developed an efficient mechanism to control bleeding after we sustain an injury. But if one of the ingredients in this complex recipe is in short supply or defective, the entire system can be thrown off kilter.

This is precisely what occurs in individuals with von Willebrand’s disease.

When a blood vessel is damaged and starts bleeding, it triggers a three-step process. First the vessel constricts, slowing the flow of blood to the injured area. Then platelets in the blood start sticking to and spreading on the walls of the damaged vessel. Finally, a clot forms on the surface created by these platelets, stopping the bleeding.

The von Willebrand factor protein plays a crucial role in forming blood clots. It acts like glue, allowing the platelets to stick to each other and to the damaged vessel wall, eventually making a plug that stops the leakage of blood.

The symptoms linked to von Willebrand’s disease stem from either a lack of von Willebrand factor or flaws that prevent this essential protein from functioning properly.

Managing the Disease

A bitter irony about von Willebrand’s Disease is that although the disorder can be challenging to diagnose, medical breakthroughs have made it a relatively easy condition to treat and manage. There is no cure, however.

Current treatment options for patients include medications that can boost the body’s supply of von Willebrand factor, lowering the risk of uncontrolled bleeding episodes.

These medicines, some of which can be delivered in the form of an easy-to-use nasal spray, often are used before a patient with von Willebrand’s disease undergoes a dental procedure or takes part in rigorous outdoor activities.

The early use of these medications should be closely monitored by the physician because of potential side effects like changes in blood-pressure and the potential for seizures.

Individuals with more severe symptoms can receive infusions laden with von Willebrand factor. This is known as replacement therapy.

Thurgood Marshall will always be an important name in the talks of civil rights. This is not surprising knowing how great and remarkable his achievements were. He died on January 24, 1993. Despite this though, he was celebrated all the time. There were just so many Thurgood Marshall Facts that have to be learned. What are these?

On July 2, 1908, Marshall was given birth. This happened in Baltimore, Maryland. His earlier years were very much affected to the fact that his great-grandfather was from Africa. This occurred in the present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was then brought as a slave to America.

Despite the aforementioned, Marshall finished his studies with flying colors. As a matter of fact, he graduated top of his class in his high school. Afterwards, he studied at the Lincoln University to pursue his dreams of becoming a dentist.

It may be fascinating to know that Marshall was named Thoroughgood. However, he had to shorten it when he was in second grade because he had a hard time spelling it.

There was a time when he experienced suspension because of pranking and hazing against that of other students. He attended the university together with other students such as Cab Calloway and Langston Hughes. The same was also true with the president of Ghana. None of these people became a victim of the antics of Marshall. Ever since, he was dubbed as rough, wrong, loud and ready.

Marshall only became serious when he met the woman who would suddenly become a significant part of his life. The person turned out to be his wife. She was Vivian Burey. She was once a student in Lincoln. They got married even if they were still in college.

Who would have thought that after all of the experiences Marshall had gone through, he would then graduate with honors? This still happened though however, in contrary to his degree in dentistry. He instead earned his bachelor’s degree literature and philosophy.

When it comes to pursuing law school, he really wanted to be a part of the University of Maryland. However, he did not apply since there was still a policy in segregation during those times. He persevered in Howard University and eventually became top again.

The moment he became a lawyer, his victory was first realized in Murray V. Pearson. He had this against University of Maryland. Quite ironic, right? The segregation policy was challenged during this time. This opened wide doors for equal education. This was intended for most Maryland students.

The moment he went out from law school, he was assigned as legal counsel of the National Association for Advancement of Colored People. After a few number of years, Marshall turned out to be the chief counsel of the said organization.

He was only 32 years old when he triumphed over his very first case in the U.S Supreme Court. This was in Chamber v. Florida which was able to establish confessions derived as an aftermath of police coercion. This was not taken as an evidence though.

The Ebola virus has really struck the world. As this occurs, more and more endeavors are set forth in order to find a cure for it. Vaccines are still being uncovered to somehow help people in protecting themselves against the disease. In doing so, various facts about Ebola Virus are taken into consideration.

Discovering Ebola Virus               

The outbreak of the said virus is traced in West Africa. Since then, it started to scare people. There are many reasons for this of course. First of all, it is considered as the largest outbreak of Ebola to ever occur. It took a lot of lives already. It even manifested signs of being a really infectious disease that can be seriously fatal. Basically, it has the ability to transfer from one person to another. This is observed whenever the disease is in its very last stage. Good thing, there are now news about experimental vaccines. These are all considered successful and they can indeed offer prevention, or at least, there is hope seen in it.

The United States confirmed that Ebola affected two Americans. It was detected that they were ill as they returned from West Africa. However, in August 21, 2014, treatment changed their situation. They were released and considered virus-free later on. They went at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta to pursue the cure for their situation. It was successful.

Ebola was detected in the United States also became evident. There was a diagnosis on September 30, 2014. However, the patient did not make it. He died on October 8 just there at the Texas Health Prebyterian Hospital in Dallas. This was reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention right after.

Another case was reported in the U.S on the 11^th of October. It was of the same year with the above mentioned. She was the nurse who took care of a patient with Ebola from the synonymous hospital. But then, she was released and was freed from the virus just on the 24^th of October. This was followed by another case whose victim was a nurse again. The diagnosis was given on October15. However, she was released and freed from the virus on the 28^th of October.

There was a volunteer, a medical worked who was also positive for Ebola. This transpired as the person returned from Guinea, West Africa. This was situated at Bellevue Hospital in New York on the same month too. Since then, she was taken care of. She had to be isolated. Like the fate of the rest, she was cured and was set free on the 11^th of October.

However, the first case of death happened on November 17. This involved a surgeon who died because of the said virus. This happened in Nebraska Medical Center, just in Omaha. This was not handle though since he was brought in the center from Sierra Leone during the very last stage of the disease. Nothing could really be done from there.

The cast of Liberty Bell was originally plotted in the year 1752. This happened in England. Since then, the mentioned was seen hung in the Pennsylvania State House. This is in United States.  Later, a new name was given in the term Independence Hall. The first time it rung, a cracked was perceived. This was one of the reasons why recasting by most local artisans took place. This stayed true for the same reasons. There were people who believe that way back 1846, it was again rung in celebration of the birthday of George Washington. It cracked once again though. Since then, it was never rung again. These are some of the Liberty Bell Facts for Kids.

Needless to say, the bell is a representation of the independence of America. Original casting of it was undertaken in London, England. This transpired in 1752. The company Lester and Pack took charge in it. As for today, the company is considered to be Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Basically, the original cast came with the words obtained from Leviticus 25:10. This was – proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.

As said, the bell cracked the first time it rang. John Stow Twice and John Pass were both recast. Their last names were said to be both seen on the bell. Originally, the bell was meant to summon a ton of lawmakers in their sessions for legislation. It was also designed to make sure that people were alert in times of public meetings and proclamations.

Up until now, there was no documented proof known. It was just believed that the Liberty Bell rung in 1776. This was intended to mark the Declaration of Independence. In the year 1830, it was claimed to be significant most especially in the lives of anti-slavery supporters. These were all published.

The owning of Liberty Bell was undertaken by the City of Philadelphia. Needless to say, the Liberty Bell was really well travelled. This began in 1885. The bell during this time was allowed to display a wide array of expositions and patriotic events. These trips even cracked and there were souvenir hunters who were there to take chips of the bell. This was the main reason why the bell was not made available again after the said event.

As the World War II ended, the custody of Liberty Bell was bestowed to the National Park Service. Even if this happened though, the bell was still owned by the City of Philadelphia. It was in the year 1960 when the Liberty Bell happened to be a popular site for most protestors to even gather. This also became popular during the Cold War. This was perceived to be a great symbol of freedom.

The Liberty Bell was farther moved into Independence Mall in the year 1976. This was situated in a certain glass pavilion. It was again moved to another pavilion in the year 2003. With that, the image of the Liberty Bell was meant to utilize coins and stamps.  It also became popular for many corporations.

Many would definitely agree that the earthquake that shook Haiti was one of the most surprising natural disasters that has ever graced the world so far. With the presence of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that happened sometime in January 2010, many people witnessed how islands were suddenly devastated. This left a lot of people homeless which was sad too. There is a ton of Haiti Earthquake 2010 Facts. This has been observed.

What really happened prior to the earthquake? Even before that unfortunate event, Haiti was considered to be a poor country. As a matter of fact, it is dubbed as the poorest in the whole world. Among the 169 countries, it ranked 145. This was in accordance to the studies undertaken by the UN Human Development Index. It had been stated that over 70% of the mentioned population was surviving under the line of poverty.

There is a variation in the death toll. This has been estimated. It was known for it to start somewhere from 220,000 down to 316,000. It was even claimed that there was a million of people who were displaced initially. Today, 500,000 individuals still remain homeless. It is known as a fact that the country was built in a particular fault line. What is even more surprising is that Haiti did not follow any sort of building codes. This is one of the reasons why there is no reason to ensure if the said building is really safe or not. As an aftermath to this, the infrastructure of Haiti was easily demolished. An estimated 30,000 homes were destroyed. The capital city of Port-au-Prince was deeply affected during that time. This was responsible for destroying crucial government roads, hospitals and buildings.

How the situation did affected children? It was reported that 4,000 schools were left damaged. This was a quarter of the entire schools seen in the islands. Ever since, Haiti had a problem with cholera. This was exacerbating. However, an outbreak was experienced in October 2010. As for June 2013 though, almost 8,173 people died from this Cholera in Haiti. The total case for this was 664,282.

Even foreigners were caught in the whole debacle. Peacekeepers also died in the earthquake. This happened along the presence of 122 Americans. As an international response, the entire international community happened to be remarkably empathetic in the crisis itself. International donors suddenly surfaced. The mentioned community was able to raise $6.43 billion for the reconstruction of the damaged areas of the country. As an addition to this, USAID doled out $450 million in order to be of help to Haiti.

Since the earthquake occurred, efforts in reconstructions were realized. Aid organizations took charge in the rebuilding of 21,000 houses. They were even able to make 100,000 shelters which were temporarily taken as homes. Rubble had been removed and 650 of the destroyed schools were repaired accordingly. The American Red Cross provided clean water to almost 400,000 people. This was coupled with hygiene and health education.

Even after the acne is gone, individuals can be plagued by it. Acne often leaves scars that can be difficult to get rid of. Many companies make acne scar cream that is supposed to help fade these scars, but many individuals wonder if this cream even works. By understanding the ingredients and purpose of acne scar cream, one can determine whether it will work for them or not.

Different Kinds of Acne Scars

Acne cream will work differently depending upon which type of acne scars you have. Some individuals have raised white scars called keloids. This happens when the white blood cells are dispatched to repair the injuries at the site of acne. Others may have scars that look more like holes or pits, and these can be difficult to get rid of. Depending upon the severity of acne scars, acne scar cream may be helpful. It is worth getting an opinion from a physician before trying a drastic treatment. To learn more about the different types of acne scars, visit Acne Scars.

Try Microdermabrasion Cream

Microdermabrasion cream has become very popular for treating acne scars. This cream typically has tiny ‘scrubbers’ that gently remove the dead skin cells and damaged skin so that the healthy, new skin shows through. This can work for keloid-type scars very nicely, smoothing the skin and helping with discoloration. Microdermabrasion acne cream does not work as well with pitted or boxcar type scars, so individuals with those types may need to find another type of treatment.

Use Collagen Acne Cream

Some acne creams are advertised as containing collagen. Many individuals with pitted or boxcar type scars may feel that this kind of cream would work best for them – ‘filling’ in the pits left behind from acne. However, research shows that it’s very hard for the skin to absorb collagen when it’s applied topically. Considering that collagen cream is often expensive, it is not really worth it because it’s not going to do much for the scars.

Give Preventive Acne Skin Cream a Try

Individuals who want to keep their skin smooth and prevent acne scars should apply preventive acne scar cream as soon as the acne is healed. A cream that contains vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids can help prevent acne scars. Scars are created by the body’s defense to acne, and skin can become hard around scars, or discolored. Cream like Shea Butter or a similar type of protecting cream can work really well to keep the skin from becoming scarred and altered.

The bobcat is the most famous wildcat in North America. It’s called a bobcat because of its short and bobbed tail. These medium-sized cats are somewhat smaller but almost a look alike of their cousin, the lynx. Their fur colors can vary from gray, light or dark with spotted or lined markings in black or brown.

Bobcats are rarely seen among humans as they are nocturnal animals. They can be found in the United States and in Southern Canada. They adapt very well to diverse habitats. Although they are subjected to heavy hunting because of their fur, their population is quite stable. Their specie is listed of least concern. In some areas, their number is highly increasing while in other areas, their number is falling.

Bobcats are lone wild animals. The female bobcats go to an isolated den to raise a litter of one to six young kittens. The kittens usually remain with their mother for about 9-12 months. During this time they will learn to hunt before setting out on their own.

Bobcats are born with amazing hunting skills. They can ambush their prey by waiting still and then grabbing at it. These little wild cats use the same hunting techniques used by the wild lion. They are fierce hunters that can deliver a death-blow with a leaping pounce that can cover 3 meters. Amazingly, they can kill a prey much bigger than themselves.

Check out their favorite meals

Fish

Amazingly, a bobcat can trap a prey direct from the. They are known to be persistent and careful hunters that a fish can’t escape.

Snakes and Lizards

Bobcats can also outsmart snakes and lizards.

Deer

A deer is definitely larger than a bobcats and can surely escape a small wild cat. However, bobcats having acquired the hunting skills of a lion can definitely attack a deer.

Hawks

See what a powerful leap can do? Not even a hawk can escape that.

Rats

Among the favorite meals of bobcats are smaller animals such as rats.

Rabbit

Rabbits are easy targets of bobcats and it’s their almost everyday meal.

Birds

Squirrels

Rodents

Chicken

Trololo cats are making a big hit online and people just love how clever these cats are!  Cats when scratched at the back would prop its neck and head up. Actually, a viral video of a cat singing like Eduard Khil (Trololo Guy) when its butt was scratched made waves online.  Lots of cat videos are blockbusters on YouTube. Most amazingly, Trololo has its own iPhone app.

Absolutely, cats are great pets. They just love to play and cuddle. Cats also have several ways to communicate its love to their owners. They push their forehead against our feet, they put their paws and stroke us, they bite gently, and so many other ways to show their love. Indeed, these pets can be miracles of intimacy.

Cats are also very flexible and acrobatic at times. They love to leap, run, and pounce on toys, which is great fun to watch.

Here are some photos of extraordinary cats and on why you should keep one at home:

Delightful Purrs

Cats have pleasing purrs. Little kids just love them.

Cats love to Cuddle

Cats enjoy cuddling. They are also very loyal to their pet owners and gentle with children.

Easily Trained

Cats can easily train using a litter-box. Yes, unlike dogs, you don’t have to walk them out every day. You can also train them not to scratch valuable stuff at home.

Dislikes being alone

Cats are very loving pets who dislikes being left alone. They usually need your love and attention. Hence, if you are planning for a long vacation, it would be great to get a pet sitter.

Low Maintenance

Unlike other pets that you need extra budget, cats are very easy to take good care. They don’t need bathing at all as cats are naturally thorough about cleaning themselves. Although, long-haired cats requires brushing.

Cats are Satisfied

Cats don’t require doting all day. They are satisfied just being near their masters.

For many of us, it is almost impossible to live without our pets by our sides. These four legged friends make a very special place in our hearts that it is difficult to forget them. A pet dog is sometimes treated not just as a pet, but as a member of the family as well. They served as our best friends who remained loyal until the end.  A dog’s love and loyalty are very remarkable that they leave unforgettable paws in our house, in our families, and most importantly in our hearts.

To celebrate the friendship and memories of these pets, many owners chose to get a tattoo of their dog paw on their bodies. As a result, lots of dog owners have a stunning dog tattoos! The tattoo is indeed very meaningful as it reminds the beautiful impact a dog has in the lives of the owners.

Here is the coolest collection of body art from pet owners who carry the memories of their dogs wherever they go:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16. 16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

Assassination attempts, whether successful or not, of highly regarded public figures from all over the world have always been a part of humanity’s history, and have somehow influenced the way famous and influential people now behave whenever they’re out in the public eye. Motives of the assassins can be anything; it can be that the assassin deems the victim a threat, disagreeing with them on political stands, or the worst is just simply being jealous of the victim’s status. From the very start of civilization, countless assassinations of nation leaders, royalty, and celebrities have shocked the globe- from the notorious murder of Julius Caesar to the not-so-well-known, but equally intriguing, sword stabbing of former Japanese socialist leader Inejiro Asanuma. Here are some of the world’s most shocking assassinations and assassination attempts.

Julius Caesar, 44 BC

One of the earliest yet most infamous murders recorded in history is the tragic fall of Roman statesman and general, Julius Caesar. Throughout his career, Caesar was well-liked due to his meritorious deeds such as brilliantly leading his army across the Rubicon River and saving a citizen’s life in a particular battle. He was a member of an elite and liberal Roman political group called the “populares.” When he was at the peak of his popularity in 44 BC, he declared himself the eternal dictator, and this has made the members of the senate turn against him. During a senate meeting, sixty conspirators led by his supposed friend Marcus Brutus, stabbed Caesar more than twenty times as he stood at the feet of Pompei’s statue. According to legend, Caesar said to this Brutus upon seeing him: “You too, my child?”

Commodus, 192 AD

The murder of Roman Emperor Commodus was something quite unsurprising, since the leader was perceived as corrupt and immoral. He was also highly conceited, believing that he was the reincarnation of the Greek god Hercules. His father was Marcus Aurelius who was a respected emperor and had work ethics, but unfortunately his son was not able to imbibe these from him. In the end, the demise of Emperor Commodus was brought by none other than his mistress, Marcia, together with his new chamberlain, Electus. These two tried to talk some sense into the egoistic ruler, but failed, and they later on feared that even them could fall under his prey and be included in the list of people Commodus wanted executed. So Marcia made the emperor drink wine that was mixed with poison; however, the poison was not potent enough so Commodus’ fitness trainer, Narcissus, came in and choked him to death.

Henry IV, 1610

Unlike Rome’s Commodus, King Henry IV of France was known as the “Good King Henry”, as he was seen as a ruler who was bold and visionary. During his reign, King Henry IV had implemented effective policies that greatly improved the lives of his constituents, making him one of the most popular rulers of the country France throughout its history. However, his critics were bashing him due to his unusual religious tolerance during that period. In 1610, an extreme catholic named François Ravaillac successfully assassinated the king by stabbing him to death in the Rue de la Ferronnerie. The king was riding in an open carriage when all of a sudden two carts created a roadblock. As the guards were stepping out to check the commotion, Ravaillac came in to strike Henry IV.

Jorg Jenatsch, 1639

Swiss political leader Jenatsch’s murder occurred under very unlikely circumstances- he was assassinated by a group of men, their leader dressed as a fluffy bear, while they were at a carnival. The murders were never officially identified, however it was not difficult to name suspects, as Jorg Jenatsch was a controversial leader. He once took part in the murder of a rival party’s leader, Pompeius von Planta, a member of the pro-Catholic faction. After losing his position as a pastor (he was a Protestant pastor), his military career slowly flourished as he participated in more revolts. During a duel, he supposedly killed his colonel but was later on cleared of the murder charges. He was also known as a traitor, because he suddenly converted to Catholicism in 1636 and became a head of a secret alliance of both Catholic and Protestant leaders.

Andrew Jackson, 1835

Before the Americans dealt with the well-known assassinations of former presidents, Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, there was Andrew Jackson, who became the first American president to ever experience an assassination attempt. Jackson has just visited a congressional funeral at the Capitol building in January of 1835, when a jobless house painter named Richard Lawrence approached the president and unsuccessfully shot him with two separate guns, both of which misfired and spared the life of Andrew Jackson. Fortunately for Jackson, the assassin was not able to get another shot at killing him as the president’s guards held Lawrence down and Jackson immediately beat him with his cane. The motive of the murder was never confirmed, but Jackson speculates that Lawrence was hired by the opposing political party. In the end, the murderer was found not guilty due to insanity and spent the rest of his life in a mental institution.

Tsar Alexander II, 1881

Known as one of Europe’s greatest leaders during Russia’s reform movement, Alexander II is given credit for the 1861 emancipation of the serfs in private estates, which resulted to the serfs gaining full rights of free citizens such as rights to wed without consent, right to acquire and possess a property, and the right to run a business by him or herself. Because of this, Alexander II was eventually named as “Alexander the Liberator”. His death was instant when a member of the revolutionary “People’s Will” group threw a bomb at the carriage he was in at the streets of St. Petersburg. The People’s Will was organized to employ terrorism among the Russians in their aspiration to overthrow the country’s tsarist autocracy.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand, 1914

As low-key as it may seem, Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination (and his wife Sophie’s as well) is probably one of the most important events in the world’s history. Historians strongly believe that this assassination has set a series of global events that led to the World War I. Archduke Ferdinand was the heir to the Austrian-Hungarian Emperor. Bosnia, a region in the southern portion of the empire, wanted to be autonomous so when the Archduke embarked on a trip to Sarajevo, Bosnian nationalists seized the opportunity to assassinate the Archduke and his wife. The murderers belonged to a terrorist group called the “Black Hand.” The officials from the Austria-Hungary government blamed the Serbians for aiding the Bosnian attackers. Eventually, alliances between European countries Austria-Hungary and Germany were formed against Serbia, Russia, and France, thus the commencement of the First World War.

Inejiro Asanuma, 1960

There are three noteworthy facts about this particular assassination: first, the killer was 17-year old Otoya Yamaguchi, who was a mere teenager at that time. Second, the murder tool he used was neither a gun nor a simple knife, but it was a traditional Japanese blade called a wakizashi that was sliced through his abdomen, instantly killing him. Asanuma was the leader of a socialist party in Japan, and his killer was a member of the ultranationalist group that aimed to restore the authentic Japanese culture. Yamaguchi was imprisoned after the televised assassination and not more than a month after his capture, the young man hang himself and committed suicide in his cell room. Written on his cell wall, via a mixture of toothpaste and water, were these words: “Seven lives for my country. Ten thousand years for His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor!” Lastly, the third interesting thing is that the actual assassination was photographed by Yasushi Nagao, and he went on to win the 1906 World Press Photo of the Year Award and the 1961 Pulitzer Prize.

Malcolm X, 1965

Malcolm X is regarded as one of the most influential African-Americas in history. His death was a heartbreaking one, considering that his killers were the very people that he was spending his life advocating for: the African-American community. The assassins were members of the Nation of Islam, an Islamic religious movement that advocated black supremacist and believed that the white people belonged to a race of “devils.” Malcolm X used to be this organization’s leader, and he also used to advocate the separation of black and white Americans. However, after an “enlightening” trip to Mecca, Malcolm X converted to Sunni Islam and founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity, which essentially wanted to eradicate racism. His assassination seemed inevitable, since his new movement quickly gained lots of followers. In the middle of a speech for the Afro-American Unity in New York City, Malcolm X was shot by a member of the Nation of Islam and instantly fell to his death.

Harvey Milk, 1978

Harvey Milk was a historical icon himself, being the first ever openly gay politician in California to be elected for a seat in the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The LGBT community considers Milk as a martyr for constantly fighting for gay rights in San Francisco. His murder, along with the murder of then San Francisco mayor George Mascone, was done by former San Francisco Supervisor Dan White out of his jealousy and hatred for Milk, who petitioned heavily against his reappointment as supervisor (since White resigned from the seat in the first place). The friction between White and Milk was further aggravated as White was the lone member of the board to vote against the gay rights ordinance, which, upon its passing, later on became an ordinance legacy of San Francisco. White was charged with first degree murder, but was then found guilty of a lesser crime of voluntary manslaughter on the account of him suffering from depression. He served five years in prison, was released in 1984, but later on he committed suicide in 1985.

John Lennon, 1980

The death of probably the most famous person in the planet during the late seventies has no doubt sparked a worldwide commotion. John Lennon of the legendary The Beatles was shot dead on the 8^th of December, 1980, by Mark David Chapman, on the archway of the building in New York City where he resided. It was believed that Chapman used to be a Beatles fan, but eventually had a change of heart when he heard Lennon’s statement that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus.’ Claiming to be a Christian, Chapman got extremely offended by this. During his trial, his attorney tried to defend him on an insanity defense plea, but he insisted to be found guilty of murder because he decided that it was “the will of God.”

Pope John Paul II, 1981

Fortunately for the famous and well-loved Pope John Paul II, this assassination attempt was not successful. The attempt occurred one May afternoon in 1981, during the Pope’s weekly motorcade at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. His shooter, Mehmet Ali Agca, was jailed and sentenced to life imprisonment. What was impressive was that the Pope later on visited his assassin in prison and forgave him. Through the Pope’s wish, Agca was pardoned by the president that time and was sent to Turkey in June 2000.

Benigno Aquino, Jr., 1983

The death of former Philippine senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. was remarkable because it has somehow sparked a spirit of unity and nationalism amongst the Filipino people during the time that the masses were fighting to overthrow the dictatorship government under then president Ferdinand Marcos, Aquino’s political rival. The assassination took place minutes after the senator has just stepped out of his plane from the United States where he spent his 3-year exile. Aquino was shot in the head and was instantly killed. Three years after his death, the world renowned People Power Revolution took place.

Indira Gandhi, 1984

Indira Gandhi was India’s fourth Prime Minister, and the first female one, who led the country for fifteen years. The killing took place when the Prime Minister was passing through the garden of her residence, on her way to a scheduled interview. She was caught off guard, literally, by her killers who were her bodyguards themselves- one was even her most favorite. Her two killers were Beant Singh, who was caught and killed shortly after due to his resistance, and Satwant Singh, who was only 22 years old when he committed the murder and was hanged in 1989.

Selena, 1995

Comparable to the sudden death of John Lennon, Mexican-American singer Selena’s demise at the peak of her career shocked the whole world. Also parallel to the case of John Lennon was the identity of her perpetrator- she was shot by the appointed president of her fan club, a woman named Yolanda Saldivar. Selena was shot after an argument with Saldivar concerning business matters. Selena was only 23.

These are just some of the many assassinations that have taken place in the course of the history of the world. The fact that these still go on until now just shows what jealousy, anger, and uncivil disagreement can do to a person.