Artists I Fancy: Venice in Beautiful Color Images 125 Years Ago | Open Culture

Historical photography.  Below is a view of the Rialto Bridge, which spans one of the city's famous canals, Venice, 125 years ago.  Though not "real" color photographs, they have been colorized and, as such more accurately reflect a lively period in late 19th-century Europe.

The Library of Congress' page on the photocrom process explains it: "Photochrom prints are ink-based images produced through 'the direct photographic transfer of an original negative onto litho and chromographic printing plates.'"  

Have you always wanted to visit Venice?

Wouldn't it be even more interesting to travel back in time and visit 19th century Venice?

You can do so through this wonderful collection of photographs.

Venice in Beautiful Color Images 125 Years Ago:
The Rialto Bridge, St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & More

Fun Related Content:

Shining a Spotlight on Italy

Dream Travel Destinations: Croatia

My Father's Country: The Bahamas

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Historic Events You Lived Through? ~ Looking Back and (Trying to) Move Forward

BORN IN THE USA and LIVING IN AMERICA.  What my life has been like as an American citizen, through the years.  Pivotal moments.

AI art created using DreamUp, a free tool

I have a Tumblr account, and it's easy to tell the Tumblr community has a lot of young people. I stumbled across a post where the person said they were very upset to be living through a historic event RIGHT NOW. It was a reference to our 2024 presidential elections.  That made me think.  How many historic events have I lived through?

1950s and 1990s

1. Two (2) New Technologies: Television and Internet — I lived through the introduction of new technology: Television (50s) and Internet (90s). In the 1950s, television brought the world into living rooms for the first time, and by the 1990s, the Internet suddenly connected those living rooms to everyone else on Earth.

1960s

2. Three (3) Assassinations — The assassinations of John F. Kennedy (1963), Martin Luther King Jr. (1968), and Robert F. Kennedy (1968) shattered a generation’s sense of safety and hope in public leadership.  We The People truly mourned.

3. Civil Rights Act — The 1964 Civil Rights Act marked a seismic shift as the nation finally codified equality that had been denied for centuries.

4. Moon Landing — In 1969, seeing Neil Armstrong step onto the lunar surface made the impossible suddenly feel breathtakingly real.  Even though some of the old folks said it was a government plot, it didn't really happen.  Why would the government lie?

5. Richard Speck Case — The 1966 Richard Speck murders were a chilling introduction to the idea that one person could commit unimaginable violence.

6. Vietnam and Flower Power — Through the 1960s and early 1970s, the Vietnam War collided with a cultural revolution of peace, protest, and youthful defiance at home.

7. UT Mass Shooting — Although I lived in Florida at the time, the 1966 University of Texas tower shooting marked the beginning of a tragic pattern in America that would grow over the decades.

1970s

8. Presidential Impeachments — Watching Nixon’s impeachment process in the 1970s, Clinton’s in the 1990s, and Trump’s two impeachments in the late 2010s–early 2020s underscored how contested American political accountability can be.

9. Yom Kippur Wars — The 1973 Yom Kippur War and its haunting 2023 echo showed how unresolved tensions can repeat across generations on the very same sacred day.  50 years later, Hamas did it again! October 7, 2023.

1980s

10. Iran-Contra Affair — The mid-1980s Iran-Contra scandal revealed how secret operations and political maneuvering could shake trust in the highest levels of government.

11. Another Mass Shooting? — The 1984 San Ysidro McDonald’s massacre underscored how mass shootings were becoming more frequent and devastating. At the Golden Arches???

12. Fall of the Berlin Wall — In 1989, watching the Berlin Wall crumble felt like witnessing freedom physically break through decades of division.

1990s

13. Oklahoma City Bombing — The 1995 bombing was a devastating reminder that terrorism can come from within our own borders.

14. Two (2) More Mass Shootings in America — The 1991 Luby’s massacre and the 1999 Columbine high school shooting showed how mass violence has continued to escalate into a national crisis. NATIONAL, not international. Other countries don't appear to be having this crisis.

15. WORLD WIDE WEB - Internet Era — Mentioned previously but bears repeating because the Internet was a serious game changer. By the 1990s, the Internet suddenly connected those living rooms to everyone else on Earth.

Image generated by ChatGPT

2001

16. September 11 Attacks — On September 11, 2001, the world froze in disbelief as the unimaginable unfolded live on television. And We The People thought December 7, 1941, was the only day that would live in infamy. (O.o)

2011

17. Death of Osama bin Laden — The 2011 announcement of bin Laden’s death felt like a long-awaited turning point in the fight against extremist violence. Some people were dancing in the streets. It took a decade, but Obama took out Osama. It had a nice historical ring to it.

2010s–2020s

18. COVID-19 Pandemic — Beginning in 2020, the pandemic abruptly rewrote daily life, exposing both our global vulnerability and our capacity for adaptation.

19. Presidential Impeachments — Trump’s two impeachments in 2019 and 2021 underscored how polarized and contentious American politics had become.

20. Roe v. Wade Decisions — From the original 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling to its 2022 overturning, the shifting legal landscape revealed how deeply personal rights can hinge on political change.

21. Mass Shootings in America are a Regular Occurrence— By the 2020s, the US started maintaining database tracking reality—mass shootings evolved from rare tragedies to a national crisis. And the politicians continue to offer bereaved and angry parents their “thoughts and prayers”.

2021

22. January 6 Capitol Riot — The 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol was a stark and unsettling moment that tested the nation’s democratic resilience.

WOW! What a difference twenty (2o) years makes. In 2001, We The People got attacked by The Enemy. In 2021, We The People BECAME The Enemy. Thank you, Donald J. Trump.

2025 To Date

As unbelievable as it sounds, Donald J. Trump (with the help of tech giant Elon Musk) got elected as the 47^th President of the United States. Would you like what he has done in his efforts to put America First AND make America great again? Here are a few of my social media posts. I don't mind telling you that it is grueling and tiresome to try to keep up. Maybe Trump can have the luxury of “sleeping,” but I'M WIDE AWAKE! Follow me on BlueSky and also on Tumblr.

POP QUIZ! Is America a Democracy, Autocracy, or Kakistocracy? Tomorrow, when #WeThePeople wake up, will America be a Democracy, Autocracy, or Kakistocracy? It's just 2 easy questions. Use it for both an IQ and EQ test. OR for a Gold Card test. #POTUS #Trump🐐🟠 - How many gold cards have you sold?

— [ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛʜʏʟ ꜰᴏx ᴀᴋᴀ ᴄᴍᴏɴᴇʏꜱᴘɪɴɴᴇʀ] 💖 (@cmoneyspinner.bsky.social) 2026-03-06T22:07:33.889Z

WAKE UP AMERICA! ALL OF US IS NIGGAS NOW! Canada, Greenland – WISE UP! Our #POTUS trying to make y'all niggas too! #DoYouSeeWhatISee👀 #TheEVOLUTIONIsBeingTelevised📺 Yeah, yeah. Need to watch what I say, huh? I'm a leftist, liberal, radical, WOKE ... eh! pick a label. Just don't call me TRUTHFUL.

— [ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛʜʏʟ ꜰᴏx ᴀᴋᴀ ᴄᴍᴏɴᴇʏꜱᴘɪɴɴᴇʀ] 💖 (@cmoneyspinner.bsky.social) 2026-01-27T21:02:56.072Z

People sometimes like to review their old year whenever the new year comes around. I went through some of my old posts on Threads. This post is dated October 2025. It's 2026, and NOTHING HAS CHANGED. Let me rephrase that. NOTHING HAS CHANGED FOR THE BETTER! #POTUS #Trump – Agree or disagree.

— [ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛʜʏʟ ꜰᴏx ᴀᴋᴀ ᴄᴍᴏɴᴇʏꜱᴘɪɴɴᴇʀ] 💖 (@cmoneyspinner.bsky.social) 2026-01-02T20:03:57.550Z

MY list was first published via discussion on ForumCoin. It needed updating.

Change the Constitution? Yeah right! Like That's Gonna Work!

TODAY is May 10, 2026, and it's the second Sunday in May when Americans traditionally celebrate and honor mothers. This isn't the news I expected to hear first thing on Mother's Day, but … I can't pass it by. I gotta say something!

NEWS FLASH! The current North Korean Leader (what's his name) has amended the country's Constitution, and it now states that if he is assassinated, “a nuclear strike is mandated”.

Uh huh.  Well!  That settles the matter, doesn't it?

🠊Dear Mr. NK Leader (whatever your name is),

Do you not read history? You do realize when you're dead, PEOPLE DON'T GOTTA DO WHAT YOU SAY? You're dead! And if they don't carry out your wishes or orders … AIN'T NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!!

Let me give you an example.

• There was once a king. Some guy they called Herod the Great.) He knew people didn't really like him. He also knew he was dying. So to ENSURE that there was mourning when he died, he ordered that several prominent “beloved” and “respected” leaders in another community … be put to death. That way … there will be great mourning in the land. (Even if it's not for him.)

HE DIED!

Do you know what his sister did? She told the people who were supposed to kill the other people NOT TO DO IT!

The Jewish historian Josephus recorded that Salome, Herod's sister, was one of the most powerful figures in Herod’s court, and she repeatedly “influenced Herod’s decisions”.

INFLUENCED? NOT THIS TIME!!

He is so great, but his sister ignored him? She didn't just ignore him. SHE COUNTERMAINDED HIS AUTHORITY!

Some accounts state her actions euphemistically and use words like:

• After Herod's death, Salome issued commands to the military, released political prisoners, and nullified the king’s final decree

Nullified?  That sounds much nicer.

🠊So! Mr. North Korean Leader.

YOU DO KNOW that the Constitution in almost every country that has one … is “highly flexible”? 

Seeing as how you had no problems changing the words in North Korea's constitution, those who come behind might not have any problems changing them back.

Just saying.

North Korea amends constitution, mandates nuclear strike if Kim Jong Un is assassinated: Report https://www.europesays.com/korea/11217/ In order to expand and bolster its nuclear force, North Korea has reportedly made sweeping changes to its…

— (@eu-kr.bsky.social) 2026-05-10T14:00:14+00:00

P.S. There were many leaders named Herod in history. This "particular Herod" is known for killing a lot of his family members. But NOT his sister. Evidently, he trusted her. Also, he didn't view her as a competitor for his throne. Actually, she was never a queen.  But it looks like that didn't matter.  If only he had known that you don't need to have a throne to wield power.

The North Korean leader is always 'in character”. It figures he would try to end the world the same day HE ENDED. 

‘What If’ They Called Your Mother a Witch (True Story)

‘What If’ is often used for theorizing or hypothesizing about an event or scenario that has not happened. But this “What If” did happen, and this is what the son did.

Across cultures, insulting someone’s mother is universally provocative. Unkind words about a mother are not jokes; they are fighting words. This truth frames the tragic story of Katharina Kepler, mother of famed astronomer Johannes Kepler.

In 1608, Johannes Kepler wrote Somnium (“The Dream”), later regarded as the world’s first work of science fiction. Intended as fiction, it was misunderstood by superstitious villagers who treated it as an autobiography. A local barber accused Kepler’s elderly, illiterate mother of witchcraft, and authorities arrested her.

Imagine learning—by letter—that your mother has been jailed and tortured because of something you wrote. Katharina Kepler, nearly 70 years old, endured imprisonment and torture but never confessed. Though eventually released, she was driven from her village and died six months later, a victim of Europe’s witch-hunt hysteria.

Johannes fought relentlessly for her, aided by lawyer Christoph Besold. Their efforts helped expose abuses in witch trials, leading to reforms—but too late to save Katharina. Kepler spent the rest of his life explaining his book, trying to undo the damage.

This centuries-old story still resonates wherever injustice survives.

• In memory of Katharina Kepler (1546–1621) and Johannes Kepler (1571–1630).

Read the complete article on Medium.com.

• Popova, Maria. “How Kepler Invented Science Fiction and Defended His Mother in a Witchcraft Trial While Revolutionizing Our Understanding of the Universe.” The Marginalian, 27 Dec. 2019, https://www.themarginalian.org/2019/12/26/katharina-kepler-witchcraft-dream/.

• MessageToEagle. “Astronomer Johannes Kepler Saved His Mother From Being Burned As A Witch.” MessageToEagle.Com, 29 Jan. 2017, https://www.messagetoeagle.com/astronomer-johannes-kepler-saved-his-mother-from-being-burned-as-a-witch.

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Witchcraft and Witch Hunting : Past and Present

Witches vs Secret Societies: Threat or Real Threat?

You Think You Know All About Witches | earthpages.ca (Reblog)

Did Sister Maria Talk in Code or Speak for the Devil?

In 1676 A.D., a nun, Sister Maria, who claimed she was “possessed,” wrote a message she claimed came from the Devil. However, nobody could read it because it was written in cryptic symbols that nobody knew how to translate. 

340 years later, in 2017, a team of computer scientists based at the LUDUM Science Center in Catania, Italy, managed to unravel the mystery. They used a decryption program that they found on the dark web.  (Of course! They found a translator on the dark web.  Not a surprise.  I would have been surprised if they said they found it in the Bible.  LOL. 😉)

*** “The scientists thought Sister Maria had perhaps created the code using a blend of existing alphabets. And thanks to her years of exposure to religious scripture, the nun had been a skilled linguist with knowledge of both ancient and modern languages. So it was that the experts’ theory proved to be right.”

A lot of it was just incoherent babbling. But some of the sentences formed specific thoughts. Evidently, IF she had written or spoken those words in plain language, she would have been accused of heresy and quite possibly burned at the stake. Now that they know what the letter said, using an understanding of modern psychiatric medicine, mental health professionals have written Sister Maria off as a schizophrenic. It wasn't The Devil's handwriting, it was her own.

REFERENCE: “In 1676 A Possessed Nun Wrote A Message From The Devil. Now The Spooky Letter Has Been Translated | Scientific Mirror” By Richard Arghiris, Nov 16 2021 ~ https://web.archive.org/web/20220219182310/https://scientificmirror.com/s/1676-possessed-nun-message-devil-letter-translated?as=799&bdk=0 (archived copy saved on the Wayback Machine)

This article is fascinating to read. For some reason, after finishing the detailed account of Sister Maria, the article writer decided that, for contrast and comparison, the story of Saint Bernadette, a teenage girl who claims to have had visions of the “Immaculate Conception”, Mary, the mother of Jesus, should be told as the conclusion of the matter. He seemed to think that Bernadette's story was much more intriguing than Sister Maria's.

Below are a few excerpts from the article.  It's a lengthy article, but the excerpts help you get the gist.  (Bold letters added for "effect.")

"The nun awoke from her terrifying demonic state and found herself soaked in ink. She looked down. A bizarre letter had come into her room during the night. What did it say? Who was it from? She didn’t know. Yet the letter was covered in mysterious symbols, and that led to only one explanation. Satan himself had written the message…

Yes, one day in 1676, the Devil took control of the nun’s body – or so she claimed – and wrote a diabolical message. ...

... it wasn’t the first time Satan had apparently called at a convent. ...

And over the ensuing centuries, many code-breakers tried to crack the supposedly Satanic language. But it wasn’t until 2017 that anyone made any real progress. ...

Yes, in that year, a team of computer scientists based at the LUDUM Science Center in Catania managed to break the code. Founded in 1969, the privately funded institution normally collaborates with educational and research organizations. But in this case, the group went to some shadowy places in the name of unraveling the truth. ...

In fact, the scientists only managed to decipher Sister Maria’s letter with the help of a powerful – and highly controlled – decryption program. This software is used by governments and doesn’t appear to be widely available. The team had to source it from the dark web – the hidden part of the internet that should normally be avoided at all costs. So why did they do this? ...

The scientists thought Sister Maria had perhaps created the code using a blend of existing alphabets. And thanks to her years of exposure to religious scripture, the nun had been a skilled linguist with knowledge of both ancient and modern languages. So it was that the experts’ theory proved to be right. ...

The team managed to crack a portion of the note – 15 lines to be exact – although much of it was muddled and incoherent. But those parts that did make sense contained heretical statements that would have gotten Sister Maria into serious trouble. Why? Because if she wasn’t possessed, she may have been a secret rebel. Or a hoaxer. Or perhaps part of her mind had split off from the rest.  ..."

The historical records are clear about what Catholic church leaders did to heretics (torture, property confiscation, execution by fire). If the nun wasn't judged to be a heretic, they might have accused her of being a witch.  No matter.  She's still end up getting punished the same way.  Although the Catholic Church has since apologized for its actions, it still happened.  It's History.  They may have said the sister was crazy, but I don't think so!-  I kind of think she was a "secret rebel".  Just me thinking.  LOL.😉

Unsolved mystery, solved.

(Original source)

Ancient History: Ancient Cities: Aram (Modern Day Aleppo in Syria)

Aram, a city in ancient Syria. 
(Today it’s called Aleppo.)

Aramaic is a group of northwest Semitic languages of Palestine spoken during biblical times.  It includes the language spoken by Jesus. It is mentioned in the Old Testament, in the second chapter of the first book of Chronicles.

♦ Image credit: The Southern Levant c. 830 BC, with the Aramean state of Aram-Damascus in the northwest

The Arameans were a desert people who lived along with the Israelites. Sometimes they lived together peacefully.  Sometimes NOT.  The name for this place is translated by some as Syria and by others as Mesopotamia.  In the Bible book of Judges, the third chapter, an Aramaean ruler named Cushan-Rishathaim oppressed the Israelites for 8years.  In the first book of Kings, another ruler named Rezon, founded an Aramaen city-state and they bitterly opposed Israel for generations.  HOWEVER … when the kingdom of Israel became a divided kingdom, if another enemy was even more hostile, they would join forces and unite against a common foe.  The relationship was complicated.

A good analogy is that it’s sort of reminds me of family.  It’s OK if two brothers fight each other.  But if somebody who is not considered a brother tries to attack either one of them, then both brothers join together to fight the attacker.

♦
Reliable References for Further Study:

• Aram| ancient country, Middle East | Britannica
• Aramaeans– Livius.org, Articles on Ancient History
• ARAM– JewishEncyclopedia.com
• AncientSyria – Ancient History Encyclopedia

♦

met today Jewish, Druze & Aramean IDF officers in Baram exposing our Christian history, Arameans, Maronites - Jews alliance before & after Independence based on our Aramaic common origins. Maronites saved Many persecuted Jews who escaped from Nazi & Arab regimes. #Aram #town pic.twitter.com/WKL7yoBUT2

— Shadi khalloul Risho (@shadikhalloul) November 21, 2018

♦  Over the millennia, Damascus was fought over and occupied by different the Aramaeans, Assyrians, Achaemenids, Greeks, Nabataeans, Romans, Umayyads, Mongols, Turks, and the French.

♦

“So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him...”

- John 19:16-18 pic.twitter.com/lzJedFbLDq

— John Wylie (@johnwylie) April 11, 2020

♦

***  Content first appeared at Virily.com.

Want to read more like this?

Joie de Vivre's Ancient History Blog Posts Roundup!

Did a Secret Society Shape American History?

What do a president, a Supreme Court justice, and a media titan have in common? A windowless tomb at Yale University — and membership in one of America’s most mysterious collegiate societies.

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Source Spotlight

This fascinating piece, “6 Famous Members of the Skull and Bones Secret Society,”published via History Facts.  The article explores prominent figures who belonged to Skull and Bones, the elite and notoriously secretive society founded in 1832 at Yale.

Tony Dunnell. “6 Famous Members of the Skull and Bones Secret Society.” History Facts, 10 Oct. 2024, https://historyfacts.com/famous-figures/article/6-famous-members-of-the-skull-and-bones-secret-society/. 

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The article highlights six influential members of Skull and Bones, including:

• George H. W. Bush – 41st U.S. President

• George W. Bush – 43rd U.S. President

• William Howard Taft – The only American to serve as both President and Chief Justice

• Henry Luce – Founder of Time magazine

• John Kerry – Former Secretary of State

• John C. Calhoun – Former Vice President

The piece dives into how this invitation-only society has long been associated with power, prestige, and political influence — fueling conspiracy theories and cultural fascination for nearly two centuries.

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A Little Historical (and Lifestyle) Context

Secret societies like Skull and Bones emerged during a time when elite institutions used ritual, exclusivity, and symbolism to strengthen networks among future leaders.

Collegiate societies in the 19th century often centered their gatherings around formal dinners and ritualized banquets — where food symbolized status, tradition, and belonging. According to historian Diana B. Turk in "Bound by a Mighty Vow: Sisterhood and Women’s Fraternities, 1870–1920", fraternal rituals and shared meals played a powerful role in shaping male collegiate identity in America (Turk 45).

Food and ritual have long gone hand-in-hand — from Ivy League “tomb” meetings to European guild feasts and Masonic banquets. Even today, power networks often form over shared tables rather than formal boardrooms.

It’s a reminder that behind institutions and influence are traditions — and often, dinner plates.

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BLOGGER'S COMMENTS:

The article is quick but intriguing and revealing and ... kind of sad.

Do We the People NEED elite networks and secret societies to shape a great nation?  WHO SAYS?

📘 #Reading Alert!
Fascinated by #Americanhistory & #secretsocieties?
~ Skull and Bones: The History & Mystery of Yale University’s Notorious Secret Society ...one of the most talked‑about shadowy groups in U.S. academic history.#books @AmazonKindle - https://t.co/t9O8FTxmss pic.twitter.com/M9zd1B7lS1

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) February 21, 2026

Read Books Written for Children like "All Around the Moon" by Jules Verne for FREE!

Do you enjoy reading children's books? I do.

I found an incredible treasure trove of historical children’s books at openculture.com, ALL digitized and free to read online. FREE!! 

I know all about “Around the World in 80 Days”. But I never knew Jules Verne wrote a book titled “All Around the Moon”. Did you?

~ Shared via Pinterest: http://ift.tt/2uCnfn7 

Rediscovering Historical Children’s Books

There’s something magical about opening a children’s book from another era. The language, illustrations, and moral lessons offer a window into how past generations understood childhood, imagination, and education. These books aren’t just quaint artifacts—they reveal shifting cultural values, forgotten storytelling styles, and the evolution of what adults once believed children needed to learn.

Exploring historical children’s literature can deepen our understanding of social history, art, and even parenting trends. It’s also a reminder that stories have always shaped how young people see the world.

If you’re curious to explore this rich legacy, one of the best resources available is a remarkable digital archive hosted by Open Culture. They’ve gathered over 6,000 historical children’s books, all fully digitized and completely free to read. The collection spans centuries and genres, making it an invaluable resource for educators, researchers, parents, and anyone who loves the charm of vintage storytelling.

This site offers open access to rare materials that would otherwise be locked away in special collections. It’s a treasure trove of cultural history—beautiful, surprising, and endlessly inspiring.

Book Lovers Gifts for Bookworm/Reader/Librarian, Books Accessories

for Reading Lovers, Bookish Items for Book Club, Reading Accessories Blanket 60x50in

♦ ♦ ♦

♦ ♦ ♦

The Space Novels of Jules Verne: From the Earth to the Moon, All Around the Moon

The Top 10 Largest Armies in The World - The Gazette Review

Listing dated September 30, 2016. Incredible! China is #1 and that's the country that has a one-child-per-family policy, and they still got a bigger army than everybody else!!! 2,330,000 Troops.

"The modern Chinese army maintains law and order in rural areas of the huge land mass, as well as operating in occupied Nepal. In recent years China has deployed ground troops in support of various United Nations peacekeeping missions, most notably in African countries besieged by violence, such as Sudan, Ivory Coast and Haiti."

The Top 10 Largest Armies in The World
- The Gazette Review

Image credit: Chinese painting of ancient Chinese army in San Guo ~ © ljm2000

Here’s a 2025 updated list of the Top 10 Largest Armies in the World by active military personnel.

Why Army Size Matters?

• Geopolitical Influence: Larger armies often correlate with regional power projection, deterrence capability, and influence in international affairs.

• Security Environment: Countries facing internal instability or external threats tend to sustain larger forces.

• Population & Conscription Policies: Nations with large populations or compulsory service systems can quickly field large active forces.

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Top 10 Largest Armies in the World – 2025

1. China – ~2,035,000 active personnel
   China has the largest standing army in the world, reflecting its major geopolitical ambitions, extensive domestic population base, and ongoing military modernization efforts. 

2. India – ~1,475,000 active personnel
   India’s massive army underscores its strategic role in South Asia, significant regional security challenges, and growing global influence in peacekeeping and defense cooperation. 

3. United States – ~1,315,600 active personnel
   While smaller than China and India in numbers, the U.S. military is global in reach and technologically advanced, capable of rapid deployment across multiple theaters. 

4. North Korea – ~1,280,000 active personnel
   North Korea maintains one of the world’s largest armies relative to its population, driven by mandatory service and regime security priorities. 

5. Russia – ~1,134,000 active personnel
   Russia’s army remains among the largest, shaped by ongoing conflicts and strategic focus on regional influence in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. 

6. Ukraine – ~730,000 active personnel
   Ukraine’s army has expanded significantly since 2022 due to the prolonged conflict with Russia, emphasizing national defense and resilience. 

7. Pakistan – ~660,000 active personnel
   Pakistan’s army is one of the largest in the Muslim world, reflective of longstanding security tensions with India and its role in regional stability.

8. Iran – ~610,000 active personnel
   Iran’s military size supports its strategic posture in the Middle East, balancing regional influence with internal security needs. 

9. Ethiopia – ~503,000 active personnel
   Ethiopia fields one of Africa’s largest armies, shaped by internal conflicts and regional security dynamics. 

10. South Korea – ~500,000 active personnel
    South Korea maintains a large and ready force due to constant threats from North Korea and its alliance with the United States. 

Image credit

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Below is a 2025 ranking based on total military personnel, including reserves and paramilitary forces (which gives an even larger picture of a country’s military manpower).

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🧠 Why Total Military Personnel Matters

• Broad Defense Capacity: Total personnel figures better capture a nation’s mobilization potential in wartime than active forces alone.

• Reserve & Paramilitary Impact: Countries with large reserves or paramilitary groups (e.g., North/South Korea, Vietnam) can dramatically expand military capacity quickly.

• Strategic Posture: Heavy manpower pools often indicate long-term strategic deterrence, internal security emphasis, or historical defense doctrines.

Top 10 Largest Military Forces – Total Personnel (2025)

1. North Korea — ~7,580,000
   With an enormous paramilitary and reserve component relative to its population, North Korea’s total force underscores its heavy militarization and regime-first security doctrine.

2. South Korea — ~6,613,500
   South Korea’s total military size reflects constant readiness against North Korean threats and one of the largest reserve frameworks globally. 

3. Vietnam — ~5,490,000
   Vietnam’s large reserve and militia elements make its total force one of the biggest worldwide, rooted in historical security imperatives and territorial defense strategies. 

4. India — ~5,137,000
   India’s vast force — bolstered by significant paramilitary units — reflects multi-front security challenges and internal stability priorities.

5. Russia — ~3,870,000
   Russia’s total includes large reserves and paramilitaries, showcasing its continuing focus on strategic depth and regional power projection. 

6. China — ~3,045,000
   China’s total military manpower supports its expanding global ambitions, though it emphasizes technology and modernization over sheer numbers.

7. Ukraine — ~3,850,000 (estimate varies with ongoing mobilization)
   Ongoing conflict has driven Ukraine to build a substantial reserve and territorial defense force, transforming its manpower profile dramatically since 2022. 

8. United States — ~2,127,000
   The U.S. combines a globally deployable professional force with robust reserve components, highlighting global reach and surge capability. 

9. Brazil — ~2,100,000
   Brazil’s total force — including reserves and paramilitaries — positions it as Latin America’s largest military manpower pool. 

10. Taiwan — ~1,840,000
    Taiwan’s substantial reserve and militia population reflect mandated defense readiness amid regional tensions. 

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Sources:

Price, Cory. “The Largest Armies in the World 2025.” WorldAtlas, 7 Jan. 2023, https://www.worldatlas.com/society/the-largest-armies-in-the-world.html.

“Military Size By Country 2025.” Data Pandas, 20 May 2025, https://www.datapandas.org/ranking/military-size-by-country. 

Barua, Kriti. “Countries With Most Powerful Military Force (2025).” Jagran Josh, 7 Jul. 2025, https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-most-powerful-military-in-the-world-1705477042-1?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

“You Searched for Military-Personnel-by-Country-2025.” WORLDOSTATS, https://worldostats.com/?s=military-personnel-by-country-2025. Accessed 27 Dec. 2025.

Opinions and Perspectives ~ What are Some Historic Events You Lived Through?

NOTE:  Donald J. Trump was elected as the 47th president of the United States.  I decided this blog post could use some major edits and revisions.  So I published a brand new post.  Click here.

I am an old lady with a Tumblr account, and I can tell the Tumblr community has a lot of young people. I stumbled across a post, and the person was saying they were very upset about living through a historic event RIGHT NOW. It was a reference to our 2024 presidential elections.  Trump won!

But then I thought to myself:  How many historic events have I lived through?

At the time, those events were also upsetting.

Let me think. I've lived through:

1. Introduction of new technology: Television (50s) and Internet (90s)
2. 3 assassinations – John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.
3. 3 POTUS Impeachments – Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump (impeached twice)
4. The passage of the Civil Rights Act
5. Neil Armstrong walked on the moon
6. Richard Speck - 1st serial killer or mass murderer I knew about
7. The Vietnam War and “Flower Power”
8. Iran-Contra Affair
9. Fall of the Berlin Wall
10. Oklahoma City Bombing
11. Sept 11th Attack
12. Death of Osama bin Laden and several other high-profile terrorists
13. COVID-19 Pandemic
14. January 6 Capitol Riot
15. Yom Kippur War in 1973 & 50 years later same conflict, same people, on Yom Kippur AGAIN!
16. Several Landmark Supreme Court Decisions from Roe v. Wade to the overturning of Roe V Wade
17. MASS SHOOTINGS – 1960s at the University of Texas; 1980s at a McDonald's in California; 1990s at Luby's Cafeteria in Texas and at Columbine High School … It's 2024, and NOW there are so many mass shootings that we maintain a database of the incidents.

There are more. On my various social media accounts (Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter) [**], etc.), I have "marked" other historic events after Trump took office. It's grueling and tiresome.

These events are memorable. But so far, I lived through them.

Original source

 [**] [NOTE: My X account is set for my posts to be publicly visible for public viewing. But for some reason, people who aren’t signed in to the platform can NOT see my account activity. The appropriate box in MY privacy and security settings is unchecked, which means the posts should be publicly visible, But they are not! If you are not signed in and you visit my profile page, it shows “@cmoneypinner hasn't posted”. THAT'S A BIG OLD LIE! I post plenty! Anyway! It's a free social media account. Elon Musk, the owner of X, who claims he promotes and protects free speech, can likely blame technology for not allowing MY public posts to reach a public audience.]

Travel and History: Ten Facts About the Republic of Turkey

When you travel, it is good to know historical facts.  Modern-day Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a country strategically located between Europe and Asia, and its leaders have an integral role on the world stage. The Asian part of Turkey was at one time called Asia Minor and was a part of the ancient Roman empire. Later, Turkey became part of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. 

Its historical, religious, political, and cultural significance, including the fact that its largest city was once the capital of three empires ~ Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman ~ should not be discounted or minimized. The heritage of Turkey and its influence in today’s political and economic arena are intricately woven into world history and world affairs.

♦ Here are TEN FACTS About the Republic of Turkey:

1. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is revered as the founder of the Republic of Turkey and is also called the “Father of the Turks”.
2. The founder of the Republic of Turkey was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1934.
3. The current capital city of Turkey is Ankara.
4. Istanbul was once the capital of three empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman.
5. Istanbul was once historically known by the name Constantinople.
6. “Turkey entered World War II in 1945 on the side of the Allies, who secured an agreement that Turkey would become a democracy.”
7. Even though Britain or the UK has voted to exit the EU (“Brexit”), Turkey wishes to be accepted as a member state of the European Union (EU).
8. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is an international alliance between European and North American countries and Turkey is a member state.
9. Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are all famous buildings in Turkey; must-see places for any traveler or visitor. The Topkapi Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
10. The Independent published a list of Turkey’s 7 most popular cities that attract tourists. Even though Cappadocia is located in Central Turkey and is mentioned in the Bible, this city was NOT on their list.

(Content previously published at Virily.)

Related Links:

What is the Capital of Turkey?

Accession of Turkey to the European Union

Top 10 most famous places to visit in Turkey

* * *FOR YOUR READING LIST (if you enjoy a good mystery):

• Istanbul Passage

• The Iznik Enigma

*

The Sultan Ahmet Mosque aka Blue Mosque, built in the 1600s during the rule of Ahmed I. #FamousBuildings in #RepublicOfTurkey #travel #vacation #touristattractions #travelplanner #Turkey pic.twitter.com/dUP2rbfYRe

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) December 29, 2018

Hagia Sophia was first a cathedral, later a mosque and now a museum. #FamousBuildings in #RepublicOfTurkey #travel #vacation #touristattractions #travelplanner #Turkey pic.twitter.com/P2WiuF20jO

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) December 29, 2018

Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower built in 1348. During the #ByzantineEmpire it was called the ‘Christea Turris,’ or the Tower of Christ. #FamousBuildings in #RepublicOfTurkey #travel #vacation #touristattractions #travelplanner #Turkey pic.twitter.com/rstsHEz3F7

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) December 29, 2018