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Sigiriya, also known as the Lion Rock, is an ancient fortress and palace located in central Sri Lanka, near the town of Dambulla. This remarkable site, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, consists of the ruins of an ancient stronghold built in the late 5th century CE on top of a monolithic rock pillar. Rising to an elevation of 1,144 feet (349 meters) above sea level, the rock is so steep that its top overhangs the sides, making it a truly unique and awe-inspiring sight.

The history of Sigiriya is closely tied to the reign of the Sinhalese King Kashyapa I (reigned 477–495 CE). The king built a palace in the shape of a monumental lion on the several acres of ground at the summit of the rock, intending it to be a safeguard against his enemies. However, after King Kashyapa I was defeated in 495 CE, the palace fell into ruin.

Sigiriya's design and construction demonstrate the advanced engineering skills of the builders, as the site includes a man-made reservoir to collect rainwater for use during the dry season. This reservoir is part of the city's water management system, which helped supply water to the palace and gardens. The overall design of the city reflects the importance of water management in ancient Sri Lankan society and showcases sophisticated engineering and construction techniques.

The site is also notable for its extensive gardens, which are among the oldest in the world, and for the 21 rock paintings of apsaras (celestial singers and dancers). The Sigiriya rock paintings have been a source of fascination and study, as they provide insights into the artistic and cultural practices of the time.

In 2013, a remarkable medical procedure was performed on Chinese factory worker Xie Wei, where his hand was temporarily attached to his left ankle to maintain its viability, utilizing the blood supply from his leg. Although the hand was warm, it was numb due to the absence of connected nerves; only blood vessels were linked.

Xie Wei observed that his leg felt mostly normal, albeit slightly heavier. One month later, doctors successfully reattached the hand to his arm. Post-recovery, Xie Wei was able to rotate his wrist partially, but his fingers' movement was still limited.

He was informed by medical experts that it might take around six months for the nerves in his hand to completely heal.

Jesse Owens of USA winning gold for the long jump in the summer Olympics in Germany, 1936.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The man saluting behind Owens is Lutz Long, a German who shared training tips with Owens and was the first to openly congratulate him after his final jump in full view of Hi**er.

After the Olympics, the two kept in touch via mail. Below is Long's last letter to Owens while he was stationed with the German Army in North Africa during World War 2. Long was later killed in action during the allied invasion of Sicily in 1943.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

"I am here, Jesse, where it seems there is only the dry sand and the wet blood. I do not fear so much for myself, my friend Jesse, I fear for my woman who is home, and my young son Karl, who has never really known his father.⁣⁣

My heart tells me, if I be honest with you, that this is the last letter I shall ever write. If it is so, I ask you something. It is a something so very important to me.

It is you go to Germany when this war done, someday find my Karl, and tell him about his father. Tell him, Jesse, what times were like when we not separated by war. I am saying—tell him how things can be between men on this earth.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

If you do this something for me, this thing that I need the most to know will be done, I do something for you, now. I tell you something I know you want to hear. And it is true.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

That hour in Berlin when I first spoke to you, when you had your knee upon the ground, I knew that you were in prayer.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Then I not know how I know. Now I do. I know it is never by chance that we come together. I come to you that hour in 1936 for purpose more than der Berliner Olympiade.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

And you, I believe, will read this letter, while it should not be possible to reach you ever, for purpose more even than our friendship.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I believe this shall come about because I think now that God will make it come about. This is what I have to tell you, Jesse.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

I think I might believe in God.⁣⁣ And I pray to him that, even while it should not be possible for this to reach you ever, these words I write will still be read by you.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

Your brother,⁣⁣ Luz