The Iroquois peoples of the Eastern Woodlands of North America were known for their characteristic dwellings, called longhouses, which are shown in this illustration. The Iroquois called themselves the Haudenosaunee, which means we longhouse builders.
Credit: © Stock Montage/Alamy Images

People in the United States observe Native American Heritage Month each year in November. During this period, many Native tribes celebrate their cultures, histories, and traditions. It is also a time to raise awareness of the challenges Indigenous people have faced in the past and today, along with their contributions to the United States as its first inhabitants.

Homes are the center of most cultures. Throughout history, homes have changed in materials, structure, and technology. Nowadays, many different types of homes populate neighborhoods from apartments, mobile homes, multi-family homes, row homes, and more. We can learn from the structure, organization, and togetherness that homes in history have fostered. In some cultures it is still commonplace to live with your parents after growing up. However, many people around the world opt for finding their own home out in the big, wide world. One traditional communal (shared dwelling) among Indigenous (native) people is the longhouse.

Longhouses were common among the peoples of the northeastern region of North America. They were large, rectangular houses. Longhouses ranged from about 50 to 400 feet (15 to 120 meters) long and about 18 to 23 feet (5 to 7 meters) wide. A typical longhouse was 180 to 220 feet (54 to 67 meters) long. The size of the family who lived in the longhouse determined the length of the structure. There were many perks to living in a multi-generation home. Grandparents were able to help care for children and all the adults could all pitch in to clean, cook, maintain the house, and stay organized.

The Iroquois were known for building longhouses. The Iroquois were a federation of Indigenous American groups that once occupied most of what is now New York state. From east to west, the tribes included the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca. In 1722, the Tuscarora joined the Iroquois league, and the federation became known as the Six Nations. The Iroquois called themselves the Haudenosaunee. This name refers to their dwellings and means we longhouse builders. The longhouse was also a symbol of the Great Law of the Iroquois, the federation’s oral constitution, in which the sky was considered the roof of the longhouse and the floor was Earth.

Iroquois longhouses were traditionally built using saplings (young trees) with the bark removed. The wider ends of the saplings were set in holes in the ground, forming a rectangular shape. The thinner ends were then joined in the middle to form a roof. Thin strips of bark or rope were used to tie the saplings together. The frame was then covered with bark. An opening in the roof served as a chimney. Openings at either end of the longhouse covered with animal hides served as doors.

Iroquois villages included longhouses with separate sections for related families. Many Iroquois longhouses sheltered an elderly couple with separate “apartments” for each married daughter. The couple’s married sons lived in the longhouses of their wives’ families. Each new generation added a section onto the longhouse. The longhouse had a central aisle the entire length of the building. The central aisle typically held a fire used by all families within the clan.

Other Indigenous people of northeastern North America also built longhouses, including the Erie, Huron, and Mahican peoples. Some Indigenous people of the northwest coast also built longhouses. These longhouses were built using logs and split-log planks. In the northwest, longhouses were set up with one doorway facing the shore.

Musician Lizzo plays James Madison’s crystal flute
Credit: © Shawn Miller, Library of Congress

The Library of Congress let American rap artist, singer, and musician Lizzo play James Madison’s crystal flute at a concert in Washington, D.C., making history this September. The flute was given to America’s fourth president James Madison in 1813 on his second inauguration. The flute has not been played for a long time, if at all! Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden reached out to Lizzo inviting her to see the flute collection at the Library of Congress while in town for her concert. Lizzo accepted the invitation and was especially interested in trying out the precious crystal flute. Lizzo is known for playing the flute, a talent she mixes into her freestyle rapping with ease.

Melissa Jefferson was born on April 27, 1988, in Detroit, Michigan. Her family later moved to Houston, Texas. Her family was deeply religious and frequently listened to gospel music. Lizzo played flute in her high school marching band. She began rapping when she was 14. After high school, Lizzo studied classical flute at the University of Houston. She moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2010, following the death of her father.

Lizzo performed with a few music groups before releasing her first hip-hop album, Lizzobangers (2013). She worked with the American pop musician Prince on his album Plectrumelectrum (2014). Her self-released second album, Big GRRRL Small World (2015), incorporated gospel, hip-hop, and R&B influences. Lizzo signed a recording contract in 2016 and released the EP Coconut Oil that year. An EP, short for extended play, is a recording considered shorter than a full album. Coconut Oil included her hit singles “Good as Hell” and “Worship.”

Lizzo, American rap artist, singer, and musician
Credit: © Aaron J. Thornton, FilmMagic/Getty Images

Lizzo gained international fame for such hits as “Good as Hell” (2016), “Truth Hurts” (2017), and “Juice” (2019). Lizzo achieved widespread popularity with her album Cuz I Love You (2019). The album reached number four on the “Billboard 200″ chart, a list of the top 200 albums compiled by Billboard magazine. The album’s hit song “Juice” reached number five on the Billboard “Hot R&B Songs” list. The success of Cuz I Love You helped to bring new attention to Lizzo’s previous work. The catchy and fun “Truth Hurts” quickly regained attention and peaked at number one on the Billboard “Hot 100” chart, as did “Good as Hell.” Lizzo has collaborated with many artists, including the rapper Missy Elliot. Their song “Tempo” (2019) reached number 21 on the Billboard “U.S. Digital Song Sales” chart. She won Grammy Awards in 2020 for best pop solo performance for “Truth Hurts”; best traditional rhythm and blues (R&B) performance for her song “Jerome” (2019); and best urban contemporary album for Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) (2019).

Lizzo briefly co-hosted the television music program “Wonderland” in 2016. In 2019, she provided her voice for the animated musical film Ugly Dolls. She also acted in the movie Hustlers (2019). Lizzo has also become known for promoting body positivity and self-acceptance.

In the Middle East, Islam is the dominant religion. Islam’s followers, Muslims, worship in mosques, like the one in Iran shown here. The women in the foreground have their heads covered, as required by Islamic law in Iran. In most other countries, Muslim women can choose whether to wear a veil or head cover.
Credit: © Patrick Ben Luke Syder, Lonely Planet Images

In September 2022, public protests broke out in dozens of Iranian cities following the death in police custody of a 22-year-old Iranian woman named Mahsa Amini. On September 13, Amini had been arrested in Tehran by officers of Iran’s morality police, who enforce the nation’s strict dress code. The police arrested Amini for incorrectly wearing her hijab, the traditional headscarf worn by Muslim women. Though many Muslim women choose to wear the hijab, wearing one is required by law in Iran. Amini died in police custody on September 16. In the protests that followed, some women burned their headscarves. Women in Iran and around the world cut their hair in protest.

According to human rights groups, thousands of protesters were arrested, more than 185 people were killed, and hundreds more were injured. The authorities stated they would investigate the civilian deaths and claimed violence was caused by dissident groups. The government restricted access to the internet and social media as part of an attempt to end the protests. In response to the government’s actions, some global powers have imposed sanctions on Iran.

The protests persisted into October. Deaths of other protestors added fuel and heartache to those protesting the regime. Those included Iranian teenage girls who shared their lives and talents on social media. Nika Shakarami, a 16-year-old Iranian student, died during the protests. Iranian authorities claim Shakarami died by falling from a building. Her mother, Nasreen, said that the body was buried without the family’s consent, and records showed severe damage to her skull. Sarina Esmaeilzadeh was 16 years old and joined the protests on September 22. It was reported that she was beaten by Iranian forces and died of her wounds, although that has been denied by authorities, which claim she died by suicide.

This challenge to authorities is one of the greatest in Iran since the 1979 revolution. In 1979, revolutionaries under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a Muslim religious leader, overthrew Mohammad Reza. The revolutionaries took control of Iran. They changed Iran’s government from a constitutional monarchy to an Islamic republic. Their policies led to strict Islamic control over all areas of people’s lives. Their rule resulted in severe economic problems for the nation. Relations between Iran and Western countries became strained.

Puerto Rican rap artist Bad Bunny
Credit: © 2022 Tinseltown/Shutterstock

People in the United States observe National Hispanic Heritage Month each year from September 15 to October 15. During this period, Latin American countries celebrate their independence. These countries include Cuba, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.

Bad Bunny is a Puerto Rican singer, rapper, and music producer. He is a Latin trap and reggaetón singer. Trap music is a genre (category) of rap music known for its heavy beats. Reggaetón is a type of dance music that originated in Puerto Rico. It draws inspiration from American hip-hop and Latin American and Caribbean music. Bad Bunny is known for his solo work, as well as his collaborations with such artists as Cardi B, Drake, and the Colombian singer J Balvin. He is also known for his personal style and fashion choices.

Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio was born on March 10, 1994, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. His stage name came from a childhood photograph in which he appeared dressed in a rabbit costume with an angry look on his face. He was interested in music from a young age. He started making music while at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo. He began releasing songs on the music-sharing website SoundCloud.

Bad Bunny signed a recording contract with the label Hear This Music in 2016. In 2017, he released “Soy Peor” (“I’m Worse”). The song reached number 22 on Billboard magazine’s “Hot Latin Songs” chart. In 2018, Bad Bunny released X 100pre (Forever), his first full-length album. The album reached the top spot on Billboard’s “Top Latin Albums” chart within one week of its release.

Bad Bunny’s second album, YHLQMDLG—Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana (I Do Whatever I Want), was released in 2020. It debuted at number two on the “Billboard 200″ chart. Later in 2020, his album El Último Tour del Mundo (The Last Tour of the World) became the first album recorded entirely in Spanish to reach the top of the “Billboard 200″ chart. In 2021, Bad Bunny won a Grammy Award for best Latin pop or urban album for YHLQMDLG. Later in 2021, he released the hit single “Yonaguni,” which he recorded partly in Japanese. Yonaguni is the name of a Japanese island. In 2022, Bad Bunny won a Grammy Award for best música urbana (urban music) album, for El Último Tour del Mundo.

His fourth studio album, Un Verano Sin Ti (A Summer Without You), released in 2022, became the second all-Spanish-language album to reach the top of the “Billboard 200″ chart.

American baseball player Aaron Judge
Credit: © Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

Aaron Judge, one of the best players in Major League Baseball (MLB), hit his 62nd home run of the season on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. The previous record was set by Roger Maris back in 1961 with 61 home runs in a season. Before Maris, Babe Ruth held the record with 60 home runs. Judge batted the fateful home run in a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Judge, a powerful right fielder, plays for the New York Yankees in the American League (AL). Judge is unusually large for an MLB player. He stands 6 feet 7 inches (2 meters) tall. Judge has displayed an exceptional ability to hit home runs. In 2017, in his first full MLB season, Judge set a rookie record by hitting 52 home runs—the most in the American League that year. (Pete Alonso of the New York Mets broke Judge’s record in 2019 by hitting 53.) In 2017, Judge also led the league in runs scored (128) and walks (127) and finished second in runs batted in (114), behind Nelson Cruz (119). He was named AL Rookie of the Year. Judge throws and hits right-handed. He has been named to four AL All-Star teams.

Aaron James Judge was born on April 26, 1992, in Linden, California. He excelled at baseball, basketball, and football in high school. Judge played baseball at California State University, Fresno, before being drafted by the Yankees in 2013. He played in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut in August 2016.

Roger Maris ​​held the major league record for home runs in one season from 1961 to 1998. Maris had set the record when he hit 61 homers in 1961. His team, the New York Yankees, played a 162-game schedule that year. In 1927, Babe Ruth, also a Yankee, hit 60 homers in a 154-game schedule. Both totals were considered records until 1991, when Maris’s 61 homers were recognized as the sole record. The record stood until 1998, when Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals hit 70 home runs. McGwire hit 583 career home runs, the 11th most in MLB history, but performance-enhancing drug (PED) use tarnished his career. He was a 12-time All-Star and led his league in home runs four times, including a then-MLB record 70 in 1998. Despite these achievements, McGwire has received little support for entering the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Barry Bonds later smashed McGwire’s record, hitting 73 home runs in 2001 with the San Francisco Giants. However, similar allegations have haunted that achievement.

Nicole Aunapu Mann became the first Indigenous American woman in space in October 2022 aboard NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station.
Credit: NASA

Nicole Aunapu Mann is an American astronaut and Marine Corps test pilot. Today, October 5, 2022, Mann became the first Indigenous (native) American woman in space. Mann and three other astronauts launched on National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) SpaceX Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). While aboard the ISS, Mann will serve as a flight engineer. Mann is a member of the Wailacki people of the Round Valley Indian Tribes. The Round Valley Indian Tribes is a confederation of tribes designated to the Round Valley Indian Reservation in Mendocino County, California.

In 2013, the NASA chose Mann to be an astronaut. Mann completed astronaut training in July 2015. She led the development of the Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) launch facility, the Orion crewed spacecraft, and Space Launch System (SLS), built to carry the Orion craft into space. NASA selected Mann to serve as mission commander on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission on the Crew Dragon capsule en route to the International Space Station. SpaceX is a private company that owns and operates the rocket and spacecraft used in the mission. A Falcon 9 rocket was scheduled to launch the mission’s Crew Dragon capsule.

Mann joined the United States Marine Corps in 1999 as a second lieutenant. She reported to the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, for flight training in 2001. Mann became a Navy pilot in 2003 and began her operational flying career in 2004.  Mann deployed twice to Afghanistan and Iraq, completing 47 combat missions. After her deployments, she completed Navy Test Pilot School and served as a test pilot for many types of naval aircraft.

Nicole Victoria Aunapu was born in Petaluma, California, on June 27, 1977. She enrolled in the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1995. Mann earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1999. She completed a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from California’s Stanford University in 2001. In 2009, she married Navy pilot Travis Mann.

Rita Moreno in West Side Story
West Side Story is one of the most popular musicals in American theater history. Jerome Robbins was the director and choreographer. Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics and Leonard Bernstein the music for the story based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Rita Moreno, center, was one of the stars in the 1961 film version that won 11 Academy Awards.
Credit: AP/Wide World

People in the United States observe National Hispanic Heritage Month each year from September 15 to October 15. During this period, Latin American countries celebrate their independence. These countries include Cuba, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.

Iconic, talented, and always fashionable, Rita Moreno belongs in the spotlight! Moreno is a Puerto Rican -born actress, singer, and dancer who has won acclaim on the stage, in motion pictures, and on television. Moreno became the first Hispanic actress to win an Academy Award. She won the 1961 award as best supporting actress for her performance as the girlfriend of a Puerto Rican-born New York City gang leader in the musical West Side Story. She also won a 1975 Tony Award as best supporting actress for her performance in the musical The Ritz. She didn’t stop after becoming the first Latina EGOT winner. Only 16 other people have the honor of being called an EGOT, the elite group of artists who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards.

Rosita Dolores Alverio was born in Humacao, Puerto Rico, on Dec. 11, 1931. She moved to New York City with her mother at the age of 5, and she soon started dance lessons. Moreno began working in motion pictures in the 1940’s, using her voice to dub Spanish-language versions of American films. She made her Broadway debut in 1945 at age 13 in the play Skydrift. She took the stage name Rosita Moreno from the last name of her stepfather, then later shortened her first name to Rita.

In addition to minor TV and movie roles in the 1950’s, Moreno danced with star Gene Kelly in the motion picture Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and portrayed an unhappy young Burmese woman given to the king as a “gift” wife in The King and I (1956). She also had a notable role as a prostitute in the film Carnal Knowledge (1971). Her other films include Summer and Smoke (1961), Popi (1969), and The Ritz (1976), in which she repeated her Tony Award-winning role.

Moreno was a regular performer from 1971 to 1977 on the Public Broadcasting Service children’s educational TV program “The Electric Company.” In 1972, she received a Grammy Award for her contribution to the show’s soundtrack album. She also received Emmy Awards for her guest appearance on the TV variety series “The Muppet Show” in 1977 and for her performance on an episode of the detective series “The Rockford Files” in 1978.

From 1994 to 1998, Moreno provided the voice of Carmen Sandiego, a world-famous thief, on the animated TV series “Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?” She was a regular performer from 1997 to 2003 on the cable television prison drama “Oz” as Sister Pete, a nun who works as a psychological counselor to inmates. In 2017, Moreno began acting on the television situation comedy “One Day at a Time,” an update of the popular series of the same name that aired from 1975 to 1984. In 2013, she published a memoir, Rita Moreno. Moreno became a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2015. Moreno starred in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 remake of West Side Story, as a newly developed character named Valentina.

American basketball player A’ja Wilson
Credit: © Thurman James, CSM/Alamy Images

On Sunday, September 18, the Las Vegas Aces defeated the Connecticut Sun, 78-71, to clinch the best-of-five Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Finals, three games to one. The Las Vegas took home their first championship in team history. Aces guard Chelsea Gray, who had 20 points and 6 assists in Game 4, was named the series MVP. Gray celebrated with league MVP A’ja Wilson and their teammates on the Sun home court at Mohegan Sun Arena, on the Mohegan Reservation in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Connecticut Sun remained without a title in four trips to the Finals.

First-year Aces Coach Becky Hammon, helped the Aces meld their exceptional individual talents into a strong championship unit. Hammon had been an assistant coach with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs and a seven-time All-Star in a 16 year WNBA career.

The basketball teams met for Game 4 before a large Sun home crowd. The score was close throughout, but the steady Aces extended their two-point halftime lead into a final margin of seven. In addition to Gray’s heroics, Wilson played all 40 minutes of the game, totaling 11 points and 14 rebounds. The Sun’s Alyssa Thomas also played 40 minutes, recording a second straight triple-double in the loss. Aces Kelsey Plum scored 15, and guard Riquna Williams added 18 points to help the Aces win their first title. The Aces’ party continued on September 20, when the team held a rally with their fans on the Las Vegas Strip.

American women’s basketball star Breanna Stewart
Credit: © Zach Bolinger, Icon Sportswire/AP Photo

The Aces’ Wilson won her second MVP award. She also led the WNBA in blocked shots and was named Defensive Player of the Year. The All-WNBA Team included Wilson, her teammate Plum, the Seattle Storm’s Breanna Stewart, the Chicago Sky’s Candace Parker, and Skylar Diggins-Smith of the Phoenix Mercury. The Aces’ Hammon was named Coach of the Year.

Cuban cosmonaut Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez
Credit: Intercosmos

People in the United States observe National Hispanic Heritage Month each year from September 15 to October 15. During this period, Latin American countries celebrate their independence. These countries include Cuba, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.

Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez is a Cuban cosmonaut and politician. In Russia and the other former republics of the Soviet Union, astronauts are called cosmonauts. In 1980, Tamayo became the first Black person in space, when he spent a week docked at the Soviet Salyut 6 space station. That same year, he became a member of Cuba’s National Assembly.

Tamayo was born on Jan. 29, 1942, in Guantánamo. After being orphaned as a baby, he was raised by his maternal aunt and uncle. As a child, Tamayo worked many odd jobs, for example shining shoes, selling vegetables, and working as an apprentice carpenter.

After the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista fled the country in 1959, Tamayo joined the country’s Revolutionary Army (see Cuba (The Castro revolution). In 1961, he completed studies at the Technical Institute to be an aviation technician. He was then selected to continue studying in the Soviet Union. Tamayo learned how to pilot fighter jets at the Yeisk Higher Military Aviation School in Russia, on the Sea of Azov. He returned to Cuba in 1962 to become a flight instructor for the Cuban Revolutionary Guard. During the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, he participated in reconnaissance missions. He also served in the Vietnam War (1957-1975). By 1976, Tamayo had reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Cuban air force.

The Soviet Union selected Tamayo to participate in its Intercosmos program in 1978. The program was established to send non-Soviets into space on Soviet spacecraft. Tamayo spent two and a half years training at the Yuri Gargarin Soviet Space Center. On Sept. 18, 1980, Tamayo and the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Romanenko blasted off on the Soyuz 38 mission. Tamayo became the first person from the Caribbean, the first Cuban, the first Latin American, and the first Black person in space. On the space station Salyut 6, the crew of Soyuz 38 joined other cosmonauts and carried out various experiments designed by Cuban scientists. The mission lasted a little over a week.

Tamayo and Romanenko were both awarded honors after landing. Tamayo became the first person ever awarded the Hero of the Republic of Cuba medal. Additionally, he received medals for Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin. Tamayo continued his military service, eventually attaining the rank of brigadier general and serving as director of Cuba’s civil defense. His space suit is displayed in the Museum of The Revolution in Havana.

In June 2012, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary as queen) at Chelsea Pier in London.
Credit: © Bethany Clarke, Getty Images

People around the world are mourning the loss of Elizabeth II, the queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. She became queen when her father, King George VI, died in 1952. Her reign was the longest in British history. She passed away at the age of 96 on Thursday, September 8, after ruling for seventy years. She spent her last weeks at Balmoral Castle in Grampian Region, Scotland, and died surrounded by family members. Thousands of people from all over the world lined the streets of London to pay respects at the Queen’s funeral today, September 19. The state funeral was held at Westminster Abbey. The Queen was married and crowned at Westminster Abbey. The ceremony was followed by a procession through London to a chapel in Windsor Castle, the Queen’s final resting place near her husband Prince Philip.

As a constitutional monarch, Queen Elizabeth was formally head of state in the United Kingdom. But she had no power over what the British government does. Laws are formally enacted in the name of the queen, but their content is the responsibility of the government.

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born in London on April 21, 1926. Her father was the Duke of York, second son of King George V. Her mother—Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother—was the former Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the daughter of a Scottish earl.

Elizabeth’s father became king in 1936 after his older brother, King Edward VIII, gave up the throne to marry a divorced American woman. This event greatly changed the course of 10-year-old Elizabeth’s life. It made her the heir to the throne, since George VI had no sons and she was the older of his two daughters.

Princess Elizabeth spent most of her childhood at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, near London. The castle is the British royal family’s main residence outside of London. Buckingham Palace, in London, is the family’s main residence. Princess Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret (1930-2002), were educated at home by governesses. In March 1945, during World War II, Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service, a support branch of the military. She joined to train as a mechanic to repair military vehicles for the war effort. But Elizabeth served only until May, when the war in Europe ended.

Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten, a British naval lieutenant and member of the Greek royal family, on Nov. 20, 1947. Her husband became Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021). When King George’s health began to fail, Princess Elizabeth and her husband began to undertake more public duties. The king died on Feb. 6, 1952, and Princess Elizabeth succeeded him as the British monarch that day. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey, London.

Queen Elizabeth II poses during her coronation at London’s Westminster Abbey in 1953.
Credit: © Cecil Beaton, Camera Press/Redux Pictures

After a general election, the queen formally appoints the prime minister. In practice, this person is the leader of the majority party in the democratically elected House of Commons. The queen has a weekly meeting with the prime minister to discuss public affairs. The prime minister is not obligated to act on her advice, but may find it useful because of her many years of experience. The Queen welcomed 15 prime ministers in her career, including Prime Minister Liz Truss who assumed the role this Tuesday.

The queen’s chief public role was to attend ceremonial state occasions and to represent the United Kingdom in visits throughout the country and the world. Queen Elizabeth traveled extensively. In the United Kingdom, the queen sometimes puts ceremony aside and meets informally with subjects. She hosts luncheons at Buckingham Palace, which are attended by people of many different walks of life.

The queen is also head of the Commonwealth of Nations, an association of independent countries and other political units that have lived under British law and government. Queen Elizabeth has no authority in Commonwealth nations. She serves mainly as a symbol of historical ties.

The queen and Prince Philip had four children. The children are Charles, Prince of Wales (1948-…); Anne, Princess Royal (1950-…); Andrew, Duke of York (1960-…); and Prince Edward (1964-…). Prince Charles became king after Queen Elizabeth passed away. The older of his sons, Prince William (1982-…), is next in line after his father as the heir. The royal family’s surname is Windsor. However, in 1960, Queen Elizabeth announced that her descendants, except for princes and princesses, will bear the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.

The royal family has two country residences. One is Balmoral Castle in Grampian Region, Scotland. The other is Sandringham, an estate in Norfolk County, England. Queen Elizabeth enjoyed country life and bred dogs and horses. She owned successful race horses.