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  • Assassination of US President John F. Kennedy, 1963

    John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assassinated 60 years ago today.

    This event had a huge impact on the global public and even affected American history.

    It was November 22, 1963, around noon. No one knew about the impending disaster. 




    While moving through Dallas in an open-top limousine with his wife, shots were fired. The President, who was hit by three bullets in his neck, throat, and head, died on the way to Parkland Hospital.

    President Kennedy’s visit to Dallas was because his opponent in the 1964 elections was expected to be Barry Goldwater, the Republican Senator from Arizona. He believed that if he could defeat Goldwater decisively, he would be able to pass his desired reform laws through Congress.





    The most significant issue preventing him from achieving this plan was the ongoing debates and rivalry between his vice president Johnson and two Democrats in the state of Texas, Governor John B. Connally and Senator Ralph Yarborough. To create a public image of unity, the President decided to include both politicians in a tour of the state.

    At the moment the shots were fired, Governor Connally, who was in the limousine, survived despite being severely injured.


    The assassination was captured on film by a man named Zapruder using an 8 mm Bell & Howell camera. Vice President Johnson took the oath of office the same day.

    An Italian-made Manlicher Carcano rifle with a scope was used in the assassination. 
    As the President waved to the crowd from the open-top limousine, the first bullet entered from beneath his neck and exited from his tie knot, the second bullet severely injured Dallas Governor Connally in the back, and the third bullet struck the upper part of Kennedy’s head.

    Numerous theories emerged after this event, the most well-known being claims that Israel, Mossad, and even the FBI were behind the assassination, and even allegations involving Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. Unfortunately, in the following years, President Kennedy’s brother Robert F. Kennedy would also fall victim to an assassination. He had served as Attorney General and advisor.

  • Siege of Vienna by the Ottoman Empire in 1683

    Developments Before the Siege

    In the late 17th century, the Ottoman Empire continued its expansion in Europe. The Second Siege of Vienna emerged as part of the Ottoman Empire’s expansionist policy. Before the siege, tensions between the Ottomans and the Austrian Empire escalated, leading to border conflicts and diplomatic disputes.

    In 1676, Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha, who became the grand vizier of Sultan Mehmed IV, embarked on a major campaign to increase the military and political power of the Ottoman Empire. Seizing the internal turmoil in Europe and Austria’s moment of weakness, the Ottomans planned to capture Vienna and open the gates to Europe.

    The Ottoman Army’s Siege of Vienna

    In 1683, the Ottoman army, under the command of Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha, advanced towards Vienna. A large army of approximately 150,000 soldiers moved towards Vienna through Hungary. Along the way, the Ottoman army captured many fortresses and reached the outskirts of Vienna on July 14, 1683.

    The Ottomans began the siege of Vienna, attempting to destroy the city’s outer walls and penetrate the inner fortress. The city’s defenders, led by Austrian Archduke Leopold, resisted. The city’s inhabitants and soldiers showed great resistance against the Ottoman siege. Additionally, forces from the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, led by Polish King John III Sobieski, came to Vienna’s aid and surrounded the Ottoman army from behind.

    The Outcomes of the Siege

    The Battle of Kahlenberg, which took place on September 12, 1683, determined the fate of the siege. The united Christian forces under the command of Polish King John III Sobieski inflicted a heavy defeat on the Ottoman army. The Ottomans were forced to retreat with heavy losses. Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha was executed after the failed siege.

    The failure of the Second Siege of Vienna marked a significant turning point for the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans suffered a major setback in their European expansion, and this defeat is considered the beginning of the empire’s decline. The European states, on the other hand, improved their ability to unite and coordinate against the Ottomans. Additionally, the Siege of Vienna led to the strengthening of anti-Ottoman alliances in Europe and prompted the Christian world to reassess their defensive strategies against the Ottomans.



  • Benefits of Drinking 3 Liters of Water Daily

    Water is one of the fundamental elements of life and the key to a healthy lifestyle. Drinking enough water daily has numerous positive effects on overall health. Experts recommend that an adult should consume approximately 2.5-3 liters of water daily. Here are some of the important health benefits of drinking this amount of water:

    1. Hydrates the Body

    Water is crucial for the body to function properly. Adequate water intake supports the healthy functioning of cells, organs, and tissues. Additionally, water helps remove waste and toxins from the body, facilitating the functions of the kidneys and liver.

    2. Supports the Digestive System

    Drinking enough water helps the digestive system function smoothly. Water supports the function of digestive enzymes and stomach acid, prevents constipation, and ensures the digestive process proceeds regularly. Moreover, drinking plenty of water can reduce stomach pains and reflux issues.

    3. Aids in Weight Control

    Water can increase the feeling of fullness and thereby reduce the tendency to overeat. Additionally, water has been shown to have a metabolism-boosting effect. Drinking 3 liters of water daily can promote fat burning and assist in weight control.

    4. Improves Skin Health

    Water helps keep the skin moist and elastic. Adequate water intake preserves the natural glow of the skin and prevents it from looking dry and dull. Furthermore, water can increase skin elasticity and delay the formation of wrinkles.

    5. Boosts Energy Levels

    Water consumption raises overall energy levels and reduces fatigue. Drinking enough water supports brain function and increases concentration. Dehydration can lead to symptoms such as fatigue and lethargy, so water intake can help prevent these issues.

    6. Supports Physical Performance

    The need for water increases during exercise. Adequate water consumption enhances physical performance, reduces muscle cramps and fatigue. Water helps regulate body temperature and is essential for optimal performance during exercise.

    7. Supports Mental and Emotional Health

    Water consumption has been shown to have positive effects on mental health. Dehydration can cause headaches and mood swings. Drinking 3 liters of water daily can help maintain mental clarity and emotional balance.


  • Mimar Sinan or Big Architect Sinan Ağa, One of Our Great Architects

    Who is Mimar Sinan?

    Mimar Sinan is one of the greatest and most famous architects of the Ottoman Empire. He was born on April 15, 1489, in Kayseri, and died on July 17, 1588, in Istanbul. Mimar Sinan, who left his mark on many important structures during the Ottoman period, is especially known for his mosques, bridges, madrasahs, and complexes.

    Career and Major Works

    Chief Architect

    Mimar Sinan was appointed as the chief architect during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and continued this role during the reigns of Sultan Selim II and Sultan Murad III. Over a period of more than 50 years, he designed and constructed hundreds of buildings.


    Prominent Works

    Süleymaniye Mosque (Istanbul):   Built between 1550 and 1557, this mosque is one of Sinan’s masterpieces. Adorning the skyline of Istanbul and being architecturally innovative, this mosque was constructed in honor of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

    Selimiye Mosque (Edirne):  Constructed between 1568 and 1575, this mosque is considered Sinan’s crowning achievement. It is regarded as a great success due to its dome and overall architectural design.


    Şehzade Mosque (Istanbul): Built between 1543 and 1548, this mosque was constructed in memory of Sultan Suleiman’s son, Şehzade Mehmed, who died at a young age. It is known as the work of Sinan’s journeyman period.
     

    Architectural Style and Innovation

    Mimar Sinan is known for the innovations he brought to Ottoman architecture. He is considered an architect ahead of his time, with his solutions to the structural challenges of domed buildings, his arrangements to improve the acoustics of spaces, and his aesthetic understanding. Sinan placed great importance on symmetry and balance in his designs.

    Legacy

    The works of Mimar Sinan continue to be a major source of inspiration in the fields of architecture and engineering today. His contributions to Ottoman architecture are studied and admired by many modern architects.



    Süleymaniye Mosque (Istanbul)



    Selimiye Mosque (Edirne)






    Şehzade Mosque (Istanbul)








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  • Battle of Haçova

    In the summer of 1596, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed III set out from Istanbul to embark on a military campaign. The young sultan, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, Suleiman the Magnificent, sought to revive the old tradition of ghaza (holy war). He made the first move against Austria by laying siege to the fortress of Eger. On October 12, Eger surrendered, but this victory alone was not deemed sufficient. During the siege of Eger, the allied forces of Austrian Archduke Maximilian and the rebellious Transylvanian Voivode Sigismund Báthory had mobilized to attack Eger. However, Báthory’s delay thwarted this plan. The sultan and his advisors decided to send advance forces to the area of Haçova. These forces clashed with the Austrian allies but were forced to retreat unsuccessfully. As the battle drew near, it was suggested that the sultan should withdraw. However, encouraged by Hoca Sa’deddin Efendi, Mehmed III decided to remain on the battlefield. On October 24, they moved from Eger to Haçova and encountered the enemy on October 25. On the first day of the battle, there were minor skirmishes, but the main battle took place the next day, October 26. The Ottoman army took its traditional formation, with the sultan and his viziers in the center, and the Anatolian and Rumelian soldiers on the right and left flanks. To provoke the enemy, who were positioned behind the Haçova marsh, the Ottoman forces advanced. However, the Austrian army, with their artillery and muskets, halted this advance. During the attacks, the right flank, where the Rumelian forces were positioned, collapsed, and the enemy began looting the treasury in the center. Grand Vizier İbrahim Pasha urged the sultan to withdraw from the battlefield. However, with the support of Hoca Sa’deddin Efendi, Mehmed III chose to stay. This decision boosted the morale of the Ottoman soldiers, allowing them to launch a counterattack. Eventually, the enemy fled in panic, with a large portion being driven into the marsh and destroyed. Although the victory was achieved, this battle did not play a decisive role in the overall fate of the Ottoman-Habsburg wars. After the battle, the soldiers who fled from Haçova or did not participate in the battle had their timars (land grants) confiscated and joined the Celali rebel groups in Anatolia, exacerbating the unrest in the region.