Human civilization has always been deeply rooted in the establishment of cities. These urban centers served as the cradle of early human society and became hubs of culture, trade, and innovation. Some cities have withstood the test of time, maintaining continuous habitation for thousands of years. Here, we explore ten of the oldest cities in the world, each with a unique history that reflects the rich tapestry of human development. Jericho Jericho is often cited as the oldest city in the world, with evidence of habitation dating back around 11,000 years. Located in the Jordan Valley, this ancient city has seen 23 layers of settlements over millennia. Archaeological findings, including the remains of a stone wall and a tower, indicate advanced social organization as early as 9000 BCE. Today, Jericho is a modest town with a population of around 20,000, reflecting its enduring presence through countless historical epochs. Damascus Damascus claims the title of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city, with origins around 3000 BCE. Its strategic location at the crossroads of Asia and Africa contributed to its significance as a cultural and commercial hub throughout history. Damascus: the Jupiter temple (III A.C.) in front of Omayyad mosque Over time, various civilizations have influenced Damascus, including the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic empires. Notable landmarks such as the Great Mosque of Damascus, which dates back to the 8th century, highlight its rich historical tapestry. Today, Damascus remains a vibrant city, home to approximately 2.6 million people. Byblos Byblos, another ancient city in the Middle East, was founded around 5000 BCE. Initially a fishing village, it grew into a significant port city by 3000 BCE. Byblos is particularly famous for its contributions to the development of the Phoenician alphabet, the precursor to modern alphabets. Throughout its history, Byblos has been under the control of various empires, including the Egyptian, Roman, and Ottoman. Today, it is a small but significant archaeological site with a population of about 100,000. Aleppo Aleppo’s history extends back to the early Bronze Age, around 3000 BCE. The city has been a crucial center of commerce and trade, thanks to its location on the Silk Road. Over the centuries, Aleppo has been part of numerous empires, including the Hittite, Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian. The Citadel of Aleppo, a massive fortress, stands as a testament to its historical importance. Despite recent conflicts, Aleppo remains a symbol of Syria’s rich cultural heritage. Susa Susa, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, was established around 4200 BCE. It was a major center of the Elamite, Persian, and Parthian empires. The ancient city is home to significant archaeological sites, including the remains of the Achaemenid palaces. Susa’s historical significance is highlighted in various ancient texts, including the Bible. Shush, which stands on the site of ancient Susa, continues to be an important cultural and historical location in Iran today. Faiyum Faiyum, located southwest of Cairo, dates back to around 4000 BCE. Known as Shedet in ancient Egypt and later as Crocodilopolis during the Greek period, Faiyum was a significant agricultural and trade center. The city played a vital role during the Middle Kingdom of Egypt and continued to flourish under Roman rule. Today, Faiyum is a thriving city with a population of approximately 433,000, continuing its long legacy as a center of commerce and culture. Athens Athens, one of the most renowned ancient cities, has been inhabited since around 3000 BCE. It became a prominent city-state around 1400 BCE during the Mycenaean civilization. Athens is celebrated for its contributions to democracy, philosophy, and the arts. Key historical sites include the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Today, Athens is a bustling metropolis and the capital of Greece, with a population of over 3 million, continuing its legacy as a center of culture and history. Plovdiv Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest cities, has a history dating back to 4000 BCE. It became a major city during the Roman period and boasts numerous well-preserved Roman ruins, including an ancient theater and stadium. Plovdiv’s rich history is reflected in its diverse architecture, which spans several historical periods. Now, Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s second-largest city, known for its vibrant cultural scene and historical significance. Beirut Beirut’s history dates back to at least 3000 BCE. The city is mentioned in ancient Egyptian records and became a significant Roman colony by 14 BCE. Despite being ravaged by earthquakes and conflicts throughout its history, Beirut has always managed to rebuild and thrive. In modern times, it became a major commercial and cultural hub in the Middle East. Today, Beirut is a dynamic city with a population of around 2.4 million, embodying a rich blend of ancient and modern influences. Gaziantep Gaziantep, known as Antep until 1921, has a history that dates back to the Hittite Empire around 3650 BCE. The city has been an important cultural and economic center throughout various historical periods, including the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Gaziantep is renowned for its culinary heritage, particularly its baklava and pistachios. Today, it is a thriving city with a population of over 2 million, maintaining its historical significance and cultural vibrancy.The post What are the 10 Oldest Continuously Inhabited Cities in the World? first appeared on History Defined.

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First of all, God’s mission is to inspire people to work with the materials He provides to bring forth new and good creations and to order the natural world. The world God created is good, and when humans begin to work alongside God in creation, things become "very good" (Genesis...

Charlie Kirk is one of the most trusted names in conservative news, and he just posted a bombshell warning on Twitter. Take a look: Be ready for a July surprise. Very possible they pull Biden and sentence Trump to prison on July 11. The entire race could be just about to change. Be ready for a July surprise. Very possible they pull Biden and sentence Trump to prison on July 11. The entire race could be just about to change. — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 18, 2024 As to the first point, Biden getting pulled, we’ve been all over that and I’ll give you our extensive reporting further below. Here’s more from Charlie and what his sources are saying: Top Democrats, including Biden’s own staff, are giving leaks to the press undermining their boss and saying he has no viable reelection strategy. “A change of course is needed.” “If the election were today, we would lose.” There are forces in the party that want to force Biden… — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 19, 2024 But as to Trump being arrested again? And why July 11th? That’s because that’s the date of his sentencing in the bogus Judge Merchan “hush money” case: BREAKING: Sentencing for President Trump has been set for July 11th, 2024! They are going to send him to jail. I am heartbroken! https://t.co/JheHHsm8bU — Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 30, 2024 Reports say New York is preparing for a possible Trump jail sentence as the President sat down for a virtual pre-sentence interview ahead of the July 11th sentencing. pic.twitter.com/cSgbJSNY9Q — Robert Gouveia Esq. (@RobGouveiaEsq) June 11, 2024 Can you even imagine what will happen if they actually try to throw President Trump in a prison cell? I think at that point he would not only win all 50 states in a landslide, I think they’d have to create a couple new states just to let him win even more than 50!! As to Biden being replaced soon in the race for President, I believe Charlie’s sources are accurate here too. Here’s what we told you just last week: BREAKING: Secret Democrat Plot To Replace Biden Before Election REVEALED (Source: DailyMail) BREAKING: Secret Democrat Plot To Replace Biden Before Election REVEALED (Source: DailyMail) Heads up folks... It appears Joe Biden is on his way out BEFORE the election, just like I have warned you many times. I know some of you still don't believe it will happen, but just keep watching. Charlie Spiering from the Daily Mail had the exclusive report and published it today over at the DailyMail: The Great Joe Biden Replacement Theory - I talk to Democrats about why the idea that he will be replaced refuses to go away and what it would take to actually replace himhttps://t.co/HjeRLWxB6g — Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) June 17, 2024 Dom Lucre reports the following: BREAKING NEWS: The DailyMail just revealed a secret Democrat plot to replace Joe Biden before the election. Bill Clinton, President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer ‘will topple the aging President.’ The DailyMail has revealed that if Joe loses in the first debate with Trump or if his polling numbers keep falling, it'll take a united front of the liberal grandees to make Joe throw in the towel. The only people who could force him out would be Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer,' one Democratic strategist told the Mail. 'It would have to be the four of them collectively.' Mrs. Obama, who has no close personal feelings for the Bidens, according to one well-connected Democratic source, flat-out ignored the invitation. strategists theorize that Democrats would have to hold a public event to symbolically transfer power from Biden to the new candidate, at which Biden, Obama, Clinton, Schumer, and Pelosi would publicly introduce and endorse the anointed nominee. BREAKING NEWS: The DailyMail just revealed a secret Democrat plot to replace Joe Biden before the election. Bill Clinton, President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer ‘will topple the aging President.’ The DailyMail has revealed that if Joe loses in the first debate with… pic.twitter.com/KjYF8RTCS3 — Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) June 17, 2024 The report has been confirmed by Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna: BREAKING: Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna says she is hearing in DC that Joe Biden will likely be replaced as the Democrat presidential nominee by November. — Leading Report (@LeadingReport) June 16, 2024 And now here's what the Daily Mail reveals about HOW and WHEN it will all go down: Nearly every time President Joe Biden appears in public these days, he fuels the chatter: Will aging Joe bow out of the 2024 race? Will he be forced to step aside? In the latest incident, former president Barack Obama was seen on Saturday reaching for Biden's hand and seemingly guiding the 81-year-old Commander-in-Chief off the stage at a Los Angeles fundraiser. And that came after Biden stood motionless and stared blankly for a full minute at a Juneteenth celebration at the White House on Monday, as others sang and danced around him. Eventually, Philonise Floyd, brother of the late George Floyd, noticed Biden's concerning pause and wrapped his arm around him to help. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates is denying that Biden froze in the viral video, calling it a 'cheap fake memo' being spewed by the media. But it seems no matter how much cold water the Biden campaign or Democratic Party throw on this raging fire of speculation, Americans will not be put off the Great Joe Biden Replacement Theory. It's the idea that somehow, some way the President will be swapped out as the Democratic Party's candidate ahead of the 2024 election. 'Dropping out would be a big risk. But there's some threshold below which continuing to run is a bigger risk,' polling guru Nate Silver wrote on social media last week. 'Are we there yet? I don't know. But it's more than fair to ask.' Last week, Biden stood motionless and stared blankly for a full minute at a Juneteenth celebration at the White House, as people around him sang and danced to the music. Last week, Biden stood motionless and stared blankly for nearly a full minute at a Juneteenth celebration at the White House, as people around him sang and danced to the music. Silver, founder of the website FiveThirtyEight, noted that Biden's average approval rating had reached a new low of 37.4 percent. And chief among voter concerns is Biden's age, which Silver concluded to be, 'an extremely understandable concern, [as] Biden looks/acts his age and is a huge outlier to ask for the job until 86 [years old].' Atlantic columnist Mark Leibovich cruelly stamped the President 'Ruth Bader Biden' earlier this month. That's a reference to the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who once angered some liberals by refusing to retire during Barack Obama's presidency and subsequently passed away during Donald Trump's term, allowing the Republican president to nominate a conservative justice. And James Carville, the political mastermind behind Bill Clinton's presidential campaigns, said flat-out this month that Biden should not have run for re-election. Now, a last-ditch effort by Biden's backers to silence his critics inside the party may prove to be his ultimate undoing. According to Democratic bigwig, Obama campaign guru David Axelrod, the Biden team scheduled one of the earliest presidential debates in history (June 27 on CNN) to prove to naysayers that Joe's not going anywhere. But the gambit carries tremendous risk. While an efficient debate performance by Biden could help rally Democrats behind him - a significant misstep would only stoke more replacement chatter. Former Clinton advisor and polling expert Mark Penn suggested the CNN debate will be Biden's last chance to reassure voters he's fit for the job. On Saturday, video of former President Barack Obama reaching for Biden's hand and seemingly guiding the 81-year-old Commander-in-Chief off the stage at a Los Angeles fundraiser went viral. 'They have deliberately thrown down the gauntlet for an early debate,' Penn said, 'and I think that's gonna be the point at which Americans judge: is he ready for another term or not.' Now DailyMail.com has learned that if Joe stumbles in that first face-off with Trump or if his polling numbers keep falling, it'll take a united front of the liberal grandees to make Joe throw in the towel. 'The only people who could force him out would be Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer,' one Democratic strategist told DailyMail.com. 'It would have to be the four of them collectively.' And the process would be high risk. One consultant theatrically described the difficulty level of replacing their candidate as similar to trying to turn that doomed container ship that careened into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in May. That sad story ended with a total collapse and six deaths. But other party insiders concede that the candidate swap could work if everything was carefully planned and executed. Political columnist Joe Klein theorized in a recent newsletter that if Biden were to stand down, 'a vigorous young candidate — don't ask me who — could win over the country with a single convention speech' in August.' In Klein's scenario, the Democratic party savior would deliver an Obama-esque inspirational speech, akin to Barack's famous 2004 Democratic Convention address, that would quickly bring together disaffected Democrats and moderate independents. I think it's a foregone conclusion that Biden will be out. The only question in my mind is whether it will be Gavin Newsom or Michelle Obama replacing him. A few weeks ago we brought you this report that said our sources were tipping the scales in favor of Michelle Obama: RUMORS: Biden To Withdraw, Nominate Michelle Obama — Here’s When RUMORS: Biden To Withdraw, Nominate Michelle Obama -- Here's When Are the Democrats actually betting on Biden beating Trump this November? Or, do they already have a scheme in place to replace him with someone they think has a better chance? For a long time now, there have been rumors that Michelle Obama may replace Biden in the upcoming election. As we've reported in the past: Is Michelle Obama Angling to Replace Biden For 2024? Report: Michelle Obama’s Secret Plot to Replace Joe Biden EXPOSED But now, a German news outlet has a date in mind for when this could happen: in August at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. According to a report from Der Spiegel, there are rumors among Democrats that Joe Biden is planning on making a"grand gesture" and stepping down at the convention to instead endorse Michelle Obama. The outlet notes that the Democrat party has already been including Michelle Obama in some polls of potential election candidates. Take a look at the breaking new report: There are rumors among US Democrats that at the convention in August 2024, Biden will “make a grand gesture” and withdraw his candidacy from the presidential election. According to Der Spiegel, he will propose to nominate former first lady Michelle Obama instead. This… pic.twitter.com/Llrn1jJJwq — Leandro Romão (@leandroptbr) May 6, 2024 Will Biden withdraw from the election and offer Michelle Obama instead? As Der Spiegel writes, these are the rumors that are currently circulating among US Democrats. Allegedly, Biden can announce this already in August. Democrats have now even included Michelle in their… pic.twitter.com/oIGFW7deav — Jürgen Nauditt (@jurgen_nauditt) May 6, 2024 The New Voice of Ukraine on Yahoo has more details on the rumors: This summer, President Joe Biden may consider stepping out of the presidential race in favor of endorsing Michelle Obama, former First Lady and wife of ex-President Barack Obama, according to a report by Der Spiegel on May 5. The U.S. Democratic Party is considering the possibility that Biden may announce his decision in August 2024 at a party convention in Chicago. Der Spiegel states that Michelle Obama has been added to the roster of potential candidates, with public opinion polls currently being conducted to gauge her viability. "The idea of a female president inspires many Americans," Der Spiegel notes. It's important to note that this is all just speculation, from a German source. So, take from that what you will. But, it is notable that the Obamas are already on the list to appear at the DNC this August. The Washington Examiner reported: Former President Barack Obama will serve as an Illinois delegate at the Democratic National Convention this summer, possibly upstaging his former running mate, President Joe Biden. Illinois Democrats announced their full list of delegates Monday evening. Obama marks just one of 51 party leaders and elected officials serving as either automatic or at-large delegates, on top of the 96 district delegates. The Illinois delegation totals 147. Obama has weighed in on some political issues since leaving office in 2017, but like most former presidents, he largely has avoided attempting to steer the party toward any successors. He notably did not endorse Biden during the 2020 Democratic primary until it was clear his former vice president would be the nominee in that election. Meanwhile, popular former first lady Michelle Obama has long been rumored in GOP circles as replacing Biden as the 2024 nominee, which Democratic strategists dismiss as a "ginned-up" conspiracy. Still, Democratic insiders have indicated to the Washington Examiner that they expect Obama to hit the 2024 campaign trail hard for Biden starting this summer, and the campaign is welcoming his efforts to boost Biden's reelection push. Campaign officials added that Obama has indicated a willingness to do "whatever the campaign asks" once he ramps up his on-the-ground appearances. Still, Michelle Obama's "office" has publicly stated she does not "intend" to run for president: Michelle Obama’s “Office” Finally Addresses Her Run In 2024 But, I'm not so sure... What do you think? Do you believe these rumors? Will we really see Biden replaced by Big Mike just two months before the election? Let us know your thoughts... NATIONAL POLL: Would You Vote For Michelle Obama For President in 2024?

Former President Donald Trump has stated that he has made up his mind on who will be his running mate in November. 

Gunmen opened fire on two synagogues, two Orthodox churches, and a police post in Russia’s North Caucasus region of Dagestan on Sunday. At least nine people, including seven police officers and a priest, have been killed in attacks in Dagestan Region, southern Russia. At least 12 officers were injured, including six in an attack on the […] The post Major Terror Attack in Russia [Our Borders Are Wide Open] appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.