The Scientific name for the Dugong is Dugong dugon. Dugongs belong to the family Sirenia. This family of aquatic mammals also includes the manatee and the Stellar Sea Cow which was hunted to extinction in the 18th Century.

Dugongs can grow to nearly 11 feet in length and an adult dugong may weigh nearly 400 kilograms. The Females are usually larger than the males. Dugongs feed on sea grass which grows on the seabed. Because of this, they are sometimes referred to as “sea cows”. The forelimbs of the dugongs are shaped like paddles. The dugong does not have hind limbs. Instead, it has a dolphin-like tail which helps the dugong in moving forward. Using these paddle-shaped front limbs, the dugongs moves along the seabed in search of sea grass.

Dugongs are solitary animals and are usually seen alone. Sometimes, a mother can be seen with her calf. Calves are born after a pregnancy that lasts for 12 to 14 months. The bond between the mother and her calf is extremely strong. Calves stay with their mothers for many years before moving out on their own. Male Dugongs start to grow tusks between 12-15 years of age.

However today, these gentle creatures are threatened by destruction of their habitat, hunting and pollution. In many areas, hunting has greatly reduced the dugong population. The dugong is protected by laws in many countries. Dugongs have few natural enemies such as sharks, crocodiles and killer whales. They have been known to live upto 70 years in stable protected environments.

The word Varangian is said to have originated from the word ‘var’ which could mean an oath or a pledge, a reference to the guards as warriors who promise to protect. Besides their function as bodyguards of the emperor, the Varangians were also charged with other duties such as the investigation of treason and conspiracies. As bodyguards, they accompanied the emperor during his public appearances and also performed a ceremonial role. The Guard was initially, composed mostly of Scandinavians. However, after the Norman invasion of Britain, Anglo-Saxons were inducted too.

Apart from their primary role as protectors of the Emperor, the Varangian Guard was also deployed in critical battles where the Varangians were known for their ferocity and ruthlessness. The weapon of choice for the Varangians was a long axe. They also appear to have been skilled as swordsmen and archers. Their loyalty coupled with their martial prowess made them an elite body of troops who were both feared and respected.

Since their chief role was in defending the person of the Emperor, the Varangians were stationed around Constantinople. During the Sacking of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, they were the only unit in the Byzantine to offer any significant resistance to the pillaging crusaders. The Guard was disbanded shortly the city was captured in 1204.

Amelia was born in 1897 in Kansas, USA. Drawn to flying from a young age, she saved money and took flying lessons, determined to live out her love for aviation. She soon managed to buy an airplane and in the following years made many achievements in aviation, including the first solo transcontinental flight and won recognition by performing many aviation feats.

In 1932, Earhart became the first women to fly solo across the Atlantic, five years after Charles Lindbergh made the first solo flight across the Atlantic. Starting from Newfoundland, she flew across and landed in Londonderry, Ireland.
Three years later in 1935, she scaled another height when she became the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean from Honolulu to California.

In the United States, Earhart soon became an icon. She was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by the Congress of the United States and received many other awards. Earhart also made great effort to popularize aviation. She was amongst the first people who tried to develop commercial aviation. The first flight service between New York and Washington DC was set up, thanks in part to her efforts and investment. She also went on to hold important positions in the fledgling airline industry.

In 1936, Earhart made plans for a flight around the world. She chose to circle the globe along the longest path – along the equator with a navigator, Fred Noonan. Her first attempt had to be abandoned due to technical problems. She started again a few months later from Miami. She arrived at Lae, New Guinea on 29th June 1937, having covered over 22,000 miles. She, now, had to cover the remaining 7,000 miles over the Pacific.

The next day, Earhart took off from Lae. Her planned landing was to be at Howland Island, a small island just a few miles long. The US Coast Guard vessel, the USGSC Itasca was stationed to coordinate the landing. Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan were able to make radio contact with the USGSC Itasca. Soon, communication with the aircraft was lost. What happened next remains unclear. The Coast Guard vessel initially received messages from Earhart’s plane. But, the aircraft was unable to receive messages sent from the ship.

Suddenly, all contact with the plane was lost. Desperate attempts were made by radio operators across the pacific to contact Earhart, but, in vain. The US Navy made an exhaustive search and rescue operation in the Pacific to rescue her. However, no trace of the plane and its pilot could be found.

The life of a brave young woman had come to a tragic end. Over the years, many theories would emerge about Earhart and her disappearance. Some claimed that Earhart managed to land her plane on a remote, uninhabited island but died shortly afterwards. Other claimed that she was taken prisoner by the Japanese, an enemy of the United States during the time, and was executed along with her navigator, Noonan.

However, no conclusion could be reached on what happened to Amelia Earhart. Amelia Earhart was a pioneering woman who achieved remarkable things in her life and made contribution to the field of aviation. She was seen as a symbol of women’s achievement. Her accomplishments were admirable, given the time she lived in. She remains an inspiration through her achievement and her career.