Charlie Chaplin - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."

"A day without laughter
 is a day wasted." - Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin was born in Walworth, London on 16th August 1889. His parents were Hannah Harriet Pedlingham and Charles Chaplin. They were both music performers and later separated to seek their careers. Chaplin stayed with his mother, who lost her career. Chaplin spent most of his life in and out of charity homes and workhouses, between his mother's insanity bouts. His mother was later committed to Cane Hill Asylum in May 1903.

At age 8, Chaplin started his acting career by touring with the Eight Lancashire Lads. At 18 he toured with Fred Karno's Vaudeville Troupe, and joined them on their US tour in 1910.

He travelled to California in December 1913 and signed with Keystone Studios' Comedy Director, Mack Sennett. While at Keystone, Chaplin appeared in and directed 35 films. In November 1914, he left Keystone and signed on at Essanay, where he made 15 films. In 1916, he signed with Mutual and made 12 films. In June 1917, Chaplin signed with First National Studios, after this he built Chaplin Studios. And in 1919, he and other actors formed the UA (United Artists). 

In 1921, Chaplin was decorated by the French government for his work as a filmmaker, and appointed as Officer of the Legion of Honor in 1952. In 1972, he was honoured with an Academy Award. In 1975, he was created Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year's Honours List.

Chaplin as Hitler
in The Great Dictator (1940)

Although, with great success comes great scandal and controversy. During the First World War, he had his loyalty to England questioned. As he never applied for US citizenship. Many British called Chaplin a coward and a slacker. This all sparked suspicions with the FBI, who believed he was using a Communist propaganda into his films. In Chaplin's film The Great Dictator, in 1940, where he played a humous Adolf Hitler, this film stirred up further suspicions and dislike towards him.

Chaplin was later shunned for his support for aiding the Russian struggle against the Nazis during the Second World War. The US government questioned his morals and political views, and suspected him of having Communist ties. When Chaplin and his family travelled to London for the premier of Limelight (1952), he was denied re-entry to the US. He decided to settle in Switzerland. Where he died of natural causes on 25th December 1977 at his home. Although, in 1978 his corpse was stolen from his grave and not recovered for 3 months, he was re-buried in a concrete vault.

Alexander the Great "There is nothing impossible to him who tries."

Alexander the Great
(356-145 BCE)

Alexander was born in Pella, the Capital of Macedonia in July 356 BCE. His parents were Philip II of Macedon and Olympias. He was educated by the Philosopher Aristotle. 

His father was assassinated in 336 BCE and Alexander became Alexander III of Macedon. After Alexander dealt with the problems in Macedon and reasserted Macedonian power within Hellas (Greece). He set out to conquer the Persian Empire. 

Against the odds, he led his army to victories across Persian territories of Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt, without any defeat. In 331 BCE, the young Alexander was able to achieve being King of Macedonia, leader of Hellenes (Greeks), overlord of Asia Minor and Pharaoh of Egypt became 'Great King' of Persia at the age of 25.

There is nothing impossible
to him who tries.
- Alexander

Within the next 8 years, Alexander led his army a further 11,000 miles, discovering over 70 cities and creating an empire over 3 continents, which were linked by a international network of trade and commerce. All this was united under the Hellenes language and culture, while adapted within individual customs in order to rule millions.

However, Alexander died of a fever in Babylon on June 323 BCE. His death sparked a huge power struggle. Macedonia had a bloody civil war with those who wished for control of the Empire. Hellas rebelled against Macedonia and expelled them from Hellas. The Macedonian Empire was eventually split into main kingdoms and with the rise of Rome ended the Macedonian kingdom when both Macedonia and Hellas were conquered in 167/145 BCE.