Graffiti is a type of deliberate human markings on property. Graffiti
can take the form of art, drawings, or words, and is illegal vandalism
when done without the property owner's consent. Its origin can be
traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Roman Empire and
Ancient Greece. Graffiti originally was the term used for
inscriptions, figure drawings, etc., found on the walls of ancient
sepulchers or ruins, as in the Catacombs, or at Pompeii. It has
evolved to include any decorations inscribed on any surface that are
considered to be vandalism or pictures or writing placed on surfaces,
usually outside walls and sidewalks, without the permission of the
owner. Thus, inscriptions made by the authors of a monument are not
considered graffiti.
Read the rest of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graffiti
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1861:
With the Italian unification almost complete, King Victor Emmanuel II
of Piedmont, Savoy and Sardinia assumed the title as King of Italy.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Emmanuel_II_of_Italy)
1861:
Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the first (and only) President of
the Confederate States of America.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Davis)
1885:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was first published.
It was subsequently banned.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Huckleberry_Finn)
1932:
The Empire of Japan established Manchukuo, a puppet state in
northeastern China during the Sino-Japanese War.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchukuo)
1943:
Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's Propaganda Minister, delivered the
Sportpalast speech to motivate the German people when the tide of
World War II was turning against Germany.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Goebbels)
_____________________
Wikiquote of the day:
"Teachers are those who use themselves as bridges, over which they
invite their students to cross; then having facilitated their
crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of
their own." -- Nikos Kazantzakis
(
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Nikos_Kazantzakis)