Maya stelae are monuments that were fashioned by the Maya civilization of ancient Mesoamerica. They consisted of tall sculpted stone shafts and were often associated with low circular stones referred to as altars, although their actual function is uncertain. Many stelae were sculpted in low relief, although plain monuments are found throughout the Maya region. Stelae became closely associated with the concept of divine kingship and declined at the same time as this institution. The production of stelae by the Maya had its origin around 400 BC and continued through to the end of the Classic Period, around 900 AD, although some monuments were reused in the Postclassic (c. 900–1521 AD). The major city of Calakmul in Mexico raised the greatest number of stelae known from any Maya city, numbering at least 166, although they are very poorly preserved. Stelae were essentially stone banners raised to glorify the king and record his deeds, although the earliest examples depict mythological scenes. Imagery developed throughout the Classic Period, with Early Classic stelae (c. 250–600 AD) displaying non-Maya characteristics from the 4th century AD onwards, with the introduction of imagery linked to the central Mexican metropolis of Teotihuacan. As the Classic Period came to an end, stelae ceased to be erected, with the last known examples being raised in 909–910 AD.

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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1621:

Myles Standish was elected as the first commander of the Plymouth Colony militia, a position he would hold for the rest of his life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myles_Standish

1872:

Mariano Gómez, José Apolonio Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, collectively known as Gomburza , were executed in Manila, Philippines, by Spanish colonial authorities on charges of subversion arising from the 1872 Cavite mutiny. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomburza

1913:

In the U.S. National Guard's 69th Regiment Armory in New York City, the Armory Show opened, introducing Americans to avant-garde and modern art. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armory_Show

1964:

Gabonese military officers overthrew President Léon M'ba, but France, honoring a 1960 treaty, forcibly reinstated M'ba the next day. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Gabon_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat

2003:

The London congestion charge, a fee that is levied on motorists travelling within designated parts of London, came into operation in parts of Central London. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_congestion_charge

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

pareidolia (n): The tendency to interpret a vague stimulus as something known to the observer, such as interpreting marks on Mars as canals, seeing shapes in clouds, or hearing hidden messages in reversed music http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pareidolia

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The Divine Light is always in man, presenting itself to the senses and to the comprehension, but man rejects it. --Giordano Bruno http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Giordano_Bruno