2540 - Kursk, Russia

Kursk was first built as a fortress city, west of the Kur River. It was first mentioned in 1032 and gained city status in 1779.

Between 1360 - 1508 it was a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. After that it joined Russia and became Russia's southern border. During the Second World War, Kursk was occupied by Germany from 1941-43. After losing the city in 1943, the German's attempted to retake Kursk via Operation Citadel. During the operation, the world's largest tank battles took place during the Battle of Prokhorovka, about 90 km from Kursk. The 5th Guards Tank Army of the Soviet Red Army attacked the II SS-Panzer Corps of the German Waffen-SS. The Germans lost 842 men, along with 80 tanks and 19 aircraft, while the Soviet's lost 5500 men, along with 400 tanks, and 14 fighter aircraft. Even though the Soviets had significant loses, the Germans cancelled Operation Citadel even though Hitler's advisors wanted to continue the battle. Hitler instead re-deployed his forces elsewhere.

Comments

3227 - Mölln, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Mölln is a small city of about 20 000 located in northern Germany. The Elbe-Lübeck Canal flows through the town, and there are eight small lakes that surround the city. It was founded in the 12th century and was a part of the Old Salt Route. Salt that was produced in the salt mines of Lower-Saxony was shipped to the Baltic Sea. Till Eulenspiegel, a legendary trickster known for exposing vices and provoking thought, is said to have lived in Mölln the last year of his life. He apparently died of the plague in 1350, but his existence has never been proven. Mölln has several monuments dedicated to him.

3322 - Hamburg, Germany

Happy birthday to me! What a lovely handmade card from the sender. Beautiful penmanship. Am Rothenbaum is the site of the main court of the German Open Tennis Championships. The International German Open has been played at the Rothernbaum since 1892, making it Germany's longest running tennis tournament. The current stadium was built in 1999 and can hold 13 200 people.

3232 - Manitowoc, Wisconsin, United States of America

The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light was built in 1882. There were nine keepers of the light until 1897. It was redesigned in 1903 and is 12 meters high. The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal was started in 1872 and wasn't opened for large-scale watercraft until 1890. The canal is 2.1 kilometers long that goes from Sturgeon Bay in Lake Michigan to Green Bay. There are no locks on this canal. The canal was sold to the United States government in 1893 and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains the canal.

Search This Blog