Romy News - 05 April 2024

Hi there! Welcome to a new episode of “Romy News”! Today is Friday, the perfect day to relax after a week of school and to learn fascinating things. I’m super excited to share incredible stories from around the world with you. We’ll talk about very ancient dinosaur footprints, discover an ice sport called curling, and travel back in time to the Russian revolution of 1917. Are you ready? Let’s go!

Imagine, in Brazil, scientists have found an extraordinary place with very ancient paintings on rocks and fossilized dinosaur footprints. This discovery helps us understand how the early humans saw dinosaurs.

The footprints found come from different types of dinosaurs, like theropods that walked on two legs, sauropods, large dinosaurs with long necks, and iguanodons. These footprints were made millions of years ago and are so well preserved that we can see the details of the toes and claws. For paleontologists, who study fossils, it’s like finding a treasure because they can learn a lot about the life of these giants from the past.

The rock paintings are just as fascinating. They were made by prehistoric humans, who were hunters and gatherers. These paintings are between 9,400 and 2,600 years old. The patterns are complex and could represent rituals or ceremonies. It is believed that these places were special for the people of that time, perhaps because of the dinosaur footprints all around.

It seems that early humans were truly fascinated by dinosaurs. They might have seen these large footprints and tried to understand who these huge creatures were. Scientists think that the drawings on the rocks could be a way for them to connect with these extinct animals, maybe as part of rituals.

This discovery is amazing because it shows us how people, thousands of years ago, tried to understand the world around them, using art to express their ideas and beliefs.

Maybe you too could try drawing patterns inspired by dinosaurs and prehistoric humans. Imagine what you would have drawn if you had seen a dinosaur footprint for the first time!

After traveling back in time to discover dinosaur footprints and rock paintings, let’s now glide on the ice to talk about a very special winter sport: curling. It’s a game where granite stones are thrown on an ice track, with the goal of getting them as close as possible to a target called the “house”. What makes curling so interesting is its unique mix of strategy, technique, and its social and friendly side.

Curling comes from Scotland, where it was invented in the 16th century. At that time, people played on frozen lakes and rivers. Over time, the game evolved, the rules were standardized, and the famous granite stones became essential. Curling gained popularity, especially in Canada in the 19th century. In 1998, curling became an Olympic sport, with competitions for both men and women. It’s fun to think that this game was once played by workers on their frozen workplaces!

The curling rink has several important areas like the “house”, where you need to aim, and the play lines. The curling stones, weighing nearly 20 kg, are thrown with precision. There are several roles in a curling team: the thrower, the sweepers, and the skip, each with a specific task. Strategy plays a big role, like placing stones to block the opponent. Did you know that some stones have unique names?

The Olympic Games and the world championships are major curling competitions. In 2018, the South Korean women’s team even won a gold medal at the Olympics, which made a lot of buzz about this sport.

Curling is a game accessible to everyone, regardless of age or physical fitness. It is also very social, with moments to chat and make friends during games. In France, curling is starting to become more known, even though it is less popular than in Canada or Scotland. Some clubs even organize evenings to introduce this sport.

I invite you to watch a curling competition on television or online. It’s the best way to understand how strategy and technique come together in this fascinating sport. Curling is truly unique, combining sliding, precision, teamwork, and friendliness. Who knows, maybe you’ll want to try it someday?

After talking about curling, a sport that requires strategy and precision, let’s now explore a historical event that changed the course of history: the Russian Revolution of 1917. As part of our theme of the week on historical events and figures, let’s delve into this tumultuous period where Russia, an autocratic and economically backward empire, saw its population rise up to overthrow the monarchy and establish a communist regime.

In the early 20th century, Russia was facing many problems. World War I had worsened economic and social difficulties, and discontent towards the tsarist regime of Nicholas II was at its peak. Difficult living conditions, food shortages, and the growing influence of revolutionary ideas ignited the spark. In 1916, the assassination of the monk Rasputin, a controversial advisor to the tsar, further weakened the ruling power.

The February Revolution of 1917 was triggered by demonstrations and strikes in Petrograd. Faced with the scale of the movement, Nicholas II abdicated, ending centuries of monarchy. A Provisional Government was formed, but it was in competition with the Soviets, councils of workers and soldiers, who demanded more power. People on the streets were demanding “Bread, peace, and land!”, a rallying cry for their demands.

In October 1917, the Bolsheviks, under the leadership of Lenin, overthrew this Provisional Government and took control of the country, establishing the world’s first communist republic. This led to the signing of a peace treaty with Germany and sparked a bloody civil war that lasted until 1922. Lenin commented on their seizure of power by saying, “Power has fallen into our hands like a ripe apple”.

The consequences of the Revolution were profound. Russia became a communist state, with the nationalization of businesses and lands. In 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formed, laying the foundations of a superpower that would mark the 20th century. Lenin proclaimed “All power to the Soviets!” as a symbol of this new era.

Now, I ask you to reflect on the reasons that led the Russians to revolt against their tsar and the monumental impact of the Russian Revolution of 1917 on world history. This event not only transformed a country but also had a lasting effect on the entire world.

And there you have it, we’ve taken a great journey today, from dinosaur footprints to the ice of curling and the revolution that changed Russia’s face. I hope these stories have helped you discover new things and maybe even sparked your interest to learn more. Every day is an opportunity to discover something new about the world around us, and I’m so happy to share these discoveries with you.

Remember, if you have any questions or want to share what you think, you can always find me on Instagram. I love hearing what you think and what interests you. So, feel free to leave me a message or a comment.

This was Romy, and you’ve listened to “Romy News”. See you tomorrow for new exciting adventures in the world of learning and discovery. Goodbye!