Ambohimanga is a hill and traditional fortified royal settlement (rova) in Madagascar, located approximately 24 kilometres (15 mi) northeast of the capital city of Antananarivo. The hill and the rova are considered the most significant symbol of the cultural identity of the Merina people and the most important and best-preserved monument of the precolonial Kingdom of Madagascar. The walled historic village includes tombs of the Vazimba, the island's first inhabitants, and the residences and burial sites of several key monarchs. It remains a place of worship to which pilgrims come. Founded by King Andriamasinavalona (1675–1710) as the capital of the Avaradrano region, Ambohimanga is one of the twelve sacred hills of Imerina and contains the house of King Andrianampoinimerina (1787–1810), who led the successful effort to unify most of Madagascar under Merina rule. Ambohimanga was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2001. Its historic sister city, the Rova of Antananarivo, was destroyed by fire in 1995. Numerous governmental and civil society organizations support the conservation of Ambohimanga by restoring damaged features and preventing further degradation.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambohimanga

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1876:

Fire engulfed the Brooklyn Theater in Brooklyn, New York, killing at least 278 people, mostly due to smoke inhalation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Theater_Fire

1933:

Prohibition of alcoholic beverages in the United States officially ended when the Twenty-first Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, repealing the Eighteenth Amendment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-first_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

1936:

The 1936 Soviet Constitution, also known as the "Stalin" constitution, was adopted. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1936_Soviet_Constitution

1972:

Gough Whitlam took office as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia and formed a duumvirate with his deputy Lance Barnard, ending 23 years of Liberal-Country Party government. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gough_Whitlam

2005:

The Civil Partnership Act came into force, granting civil partnerships in the United Kingdom with rights and responsibilities identical to civil marriage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Partnership_Act_2004

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

archeress: A female archer, a woman who shoots an arrow from a bow: Elizabeth deigned to show her skill as an archeress, to the detriment of the dappled deer in the wide park beyond (John Berwick Harwood). https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/archeress

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

We're not trying to entertain the critics ... I'll take my chances with the public.   --Walt Disney https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Walt_Disney