Eva Braun in her bathing suit (1940 picture)

Photos of Eva Braun, Adolf Hitler’s longtime companion and wife for 40 hours wife surfaced online. The new photos which were confiscated by the US Army in 1945 and then collected brought them to light.

Adolf Hitler with Ursula Schneider

The previously unseen private photos show Eva spending happy moments with Adolf at the height of the war. The photos also captured Eva, a former model, glamorously dressed enjoying parties with family and friends and mostly in bathing suit on summer vacation.

Eva Braun (far right) at her parents’ house in Munich, Germany

Check out the full gallery at this link.

Cheers,

Photo Credits: LIFE.com

Teresa Scanlan of Nebraska was named Miss America 2011 in Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on January 15, 2011 after beating 52 other young women from across the United States. She won a $50,000 scholarship and a yearlong run to use her new title to help women prevent and conquer eating disorders. She was crowned by Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron from Virginia.

Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan

The 17 year old winner from Gering was also named the youngest Miss America since the pageant’s first competition in 1921. Margaret Gorman of the District of Columbia was the youngest ever as she won the title at age 16.

Miss America 1921 Margaret Gorman

Scanlan, who recently graduate from Scottsbluff High School hopes to attend law school, become a judge and eventually a politician. She plans to attend Patrick Henry College in fall.

FINAL RESULTS
Miss America 2011: Teresa Scanlan (Nebraska)
First runner-up: Alyse Eady (Arkansas)
Second runner-up: Jalee Fuselier (Hawaii)
Third runner-up: Jacquie Brown (Washington)
Fourth runner-up: Emoly West (Oklahoma)

TOP 10
Kathryn Bulkley (Arizona)
Caitlin Uze (Virginia)
Arianna Afsar (California)
Kayla Martell (Delaware)
Djuan Trent (Kentucky)

TOP 12
Ashley Melnick (Texas)
Claire Buffie (New York)

TOP 15
Deborah Saint-Vil (Rhode Island)
Christina Lowe (Utah)
Stephenie Steers (Oregon)

PRELIMINARY AWARDS

Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness
Ashley Davis (Alabama)
Jaelee Fuselier (Hawaii)
Emoly West (Oklahoma)

Preliminary Talent
Teresa Scanlan (Nebraska)
Adrienne Core (North Carolina)
Deborah Saint-Vil (Rhode Island)

Quality of Life Awards
Winner: Katie LaRoche (Michigan)
First runner-up: Kayla Martell (Delaware)
Second runner-up: Ashleigh Udalovas (New Jersey)

Fourpoint Scholarship Awardee: Stephanie Williams (District of Colombia)

Congratulations!

Cheers,

Photo Credits: Miss America and Miss Florida

CNBC’s TV Show ‘American Greed’ goes behind bars to take a look at the life of Bernard ‘Bernie’ Madoff, a former non-executive chairman of the Nasdaq stock market and once known as the King of Wall Street. The fallen American stock broker is now serving 150 years at Butner Prison in North Carolina for stealing billions of dollars from innocent clients and for orchestrating the largest Ponzi scheme in the history.

The show will take a look into the life of  Madoff inside the bars in North Carolina nicknamed “Camp Fluffy”, for its spacious environment and soundproof prison cell. Interestingly, the prison also provides periodic ‘special treat’ like popcorn and cotton candy for the prisoners.

The documentary show also have an exclusive interview from the point of view of a former prisoner, a current inmate and victims’ attorney.

The episode, titled ‘Madoff Behind Bars’ will premier tonight in the US at 9pm Eastern time. The episode will also be shown in other continents on the following dates below:

ASIA TIME
Saturday, August 28th 9p (SIN/HK)
Sunday, August 29th 3a, 8p (SIN/HK)
Monday, August 30th 2a (SIN/HK)

AUSTRALIA TIME
Saturday, August 28th 2p, 11p (AEST)
Sunday, August 29th 6a, 3p, 9p (AEST)
Monday, August 30th 5a (AEST)

Photo Credit: Ebookwisdom

President-elect Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Cojuangco Aquino III took his oath today as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines.  As mandated by the 1987 Constitution, Aquino  sworn by high noon before Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales at the historic Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

The special event was attended by many Filipinos and foreign dignitaries from all over the globe. Aquino’s inauguration also marks the first peaceful transfer of power since 1998, when President Joseph Estrada was elected as the 13th Philippine President with a landslide victory.

A video and a copy of President Noynoy Aquino’s Inaugural Speech is published in full below:

His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and members of the Senate, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and members of the House, justices of the Supreme Court, members of the foreign delegations,Your Excellencies of thediplomatic corps, fellow colleagues in government, aking mga kababayan.

Ang pagtayo ko dito ngayon ay patunay na kayo ang aking tunay na lakas. Hindi ko inakala na darating tayo sa puntong ito, na ako’y manunumpa sa harap ninyo bilang inyong Pangulo. Hindi ko pinangarap maging tagapagtaguyod ng pag-asa at tagapagmana ng mga suliranin ng ating bayan.

Ang layunin ko sa buhay ay simple lang: maging tapat sa aking mga magulang at sa bayan bilang isang marangal na anak, mabait na kuya, at mabuting mamamayan.

Nilabanan ng aking ama ang diktaturya at ibinuwis niya ang kanyang buhay para tubusin ang ating demokrasya. Inalay ng aking ina ang kanyang buhay upang pangalagaan ang demokrasyang ito. Ilalaan ko ang aking buhay para siguraduhin na ang ating demokrasya ay kapaki-pakinabang sa bawat isa. Namuhunan na kami ng dugo at handang gawin itong muli kung kinakailangan.

Tanyag man ang aking mga magulang at ang kanilang mga nagawa, alam ko rin ang problema ng ordinaryong mamamayan. Alam nating lahat ang pakiramdam na magkaroon ng pamahalaang bulag at bingi. Alam natin ang pakiramdam na mapagkaitan ng hustisya, na mabalewala ng mga taong pinagkatiwalaan at inatasan nating maging ating tagapagtanggol.

Kayo ba ay minsan ring nalimutan ng pamahalaang inyong iniluklok sa puwesto? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay nagtiis na sa trapiko para lamang masingitan ng isang naghahari-hariang de-wangwang sa kalsada? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay sawang-sawa na sa pamahalaang sa halip na magsilbi sa taumbayan ay kailangan pa nila itong pagpasensiyahan at tiisin? Ako rin.

Katulad ninyo ako. Marami na sa atin ang bumoto gamit ang kanilang paa—nilisan na nila ang ating bansa sa kanilang paghahanap ng pagbabago at katahimikan. Tiniis nila ang hirap, sinugod ang panganib sa ibang bansa dahil doon may pag-asa kahit kaunti na dito sa atin ay hindi nila nakikita. Sa iilang sandali na sarili ko lang ang aking inaalala, pati ako ay napag-isip din—talaga bang hindi na mababago ang pamamahala natin dito? Hindi kaya nasa ibang bansa ang katahimikang hinahanap ko? Saan ba nakasulat na kailangang puro pagtitiis ang tadhana ng Pilipino?

Ngayon, sa araw na ito—dito magwawakas ang pamumunong manhid sa mga daing ng taumbayan. Hindi si Noynoy ang gumawa ng paraan, kayo ang dahilan kung bakit ngayon, magtatapos na ang pagtitiis ng sambayanan. Ito naman ang umpisa ng kalbaryo ko, ngunit kung marami tayong magpapasan ng krus ay kakayanin natin ito, gaano man kabigat.

Sa tulong ng wastong pamamahala sa mga darating na taon, maiibsan din ang marami nating problema. Ang tadhana ng Pilipino ay babalik sa tamang kalagayan, na sa bawat taon pabawas ng pabawas ang problema ng Pinoy na nagsusumikap at may kasiguruhan sila na magiging tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbuti ng kanilang sitwasyon.

Kami ay narito para magsilbi at hindi para maghari. Ang mandato ninyo sa amin ay pagbabago—isang malinaw na utos para ayusin ang gobyerno at lipunan mula sa pamahalaang iilan lamang ang nakikinabang tungo sa isang pamahalaang kabutihan ng mamamayan ang pinangangalagaan.

Ang mandatong ito ay isa kung saan kayo at ang inyong pangulo ay nagkasundo para sa pagbabago—isang paninindigan na ipinangako ko noong kampanya at tinanggap ninyo noong araw ng halalan.

Sigaw natin noong kampanya: “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” Hindi lamang ito pang slogan o pang poster—ito ang mga prinsipyong tinatayuan at nagsisilbing batayan ng ating administrasyon.

Ang ating pangunahing tungkulin ay ang magsikap na maiangat ang bansa mula sa kahirapan, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapairal ng katapatan at mabuting pamamalakad sa pamahalaan.

Ang unang hakbang ay ang pagkakaroon ng tuwid at tapat na hanay ng mga pinuno. Magsisimula ito sa akin. Sisikapin kong maging isang mabuting ehemplo. Hinding hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob ninyo sa akin. Sisiguraduhin ko na ganito rin ang adhikain ng aking Gabinete at ng mga magiging kasama sa ating pamahalaan.

Naniniwala akong hindi lahat ng nagsisilbi sa gobyerno ay corrupt. Sa katunayan, mas marami sa kanila ay tapat. Pinili nilang maglingkod sa gobyerno upang gumawa ng kabutihan. Ngayon, magkakaroon na sila ng pagkakataong magpakitang-gilas. Inaasahan natin sila sa pagsupil ng korapsyon sa loob mismo ng burukrasya.

Sa mga itinalaga sa paraang labag sa batas, ito ang aking babala: sisimulan natin ang pagbabalik ng tiwala sa pamamagitan ng pag-usisa sa mga “midnight appointments.” Sana ay magsilbi itong babala sa mga nag-iisip na ipagpatuloy ang baluktot na kalakarang nakasanayan na ng marami.

Sa mga kapuspalad nating mga kababayan, ngayon, ang pamahalaan ang inyong kampeon.

Hindi natin ipagpapaliban ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga estudyante, kaya’t sisikapin nating punan ang kakulangan sa ating mga silid-aralan.

Unti-unti din nating babawasan ang mga kakulangan sa imprastraktura para sa transportasyon, turismo at pangangalakal. Mula ngayon, hindi na puwede ang “puwede na” pagdating sa mga kalye, tulay at gusali dahil magiging responsibilidad ng mga kontratista ang panatilihing nasa mabuting kalagayan ang mga proyekto nila.

Bubuhayin natin ang programang “emergency employment” ng dating pangulong Corazon Aquino sa pagtatayo ng mga bagong imprastraktura na ito. Ito ay magbibigay ng trabaho sa mga local na komunidad at makakatulong sa pagpapalago ng kanila at ng ating ekonomiya.

Hindi kami magiging sanhi ng inyong pasakit at perwisyo. Palalakasin natin ang koleksyon at pupuksain natin ang korapsyon sa Kawanihan ng Rentas Internas at Bureau of Customs para mapondohan natin ang ating mga hinahangad para sa lahat, tulad ng:

• dekalidad na edukasyon, kabilang ang edukasyong bokasyonal para makapaghanap ng marangal na trabaho ang hindi makapag-kolehiyo;
• serbisyong pangkalusugan, tulad ng Philhealth para sa lahat sa loob ng tatlong taon;
• tirahan sa loob ng mga ligtas na komunidad.

Palalakasin at palalaguin natin ang bilang ng ating kasundaluhan at kapulisan, hindi para tugunan ang interes ng mga naghahari-harian, ngunit para proteksyunan ang mamamayan. Itinataya nila ang kanilang buhay para mayroong pagkakataon sa katahimikan at kapayapaan sa sambayanan. Dumoble na ang populasyong kanilang binabantayan, nanatili naman sila sa bilang. Hindi tama na ang nagmamalasakit ay kinakawawa.

Kung dati ay may fertilizer scam, ngayon ay may kalinga na tunay para sa mga magsasaka. Tutulungan natin sila sa irigasyon, extension services, at sa pagbenta ng kanilang produkto sa pinakamataas na presyong maaari.

Inaatasan natin si papasok na Kalihim Alcala na magtayo ng mgatrading centers kung saan diretso na ang magsasaka sa mamimili – lalaktawan natin ang gitna, kasama na ang kotong cop. Sa ganitong paraan, ang dating napupunta sa gitna ay maari nang paghatian ng magsasaka at mamimili.

Gagawin nating kaaya-aya sa negosyante ang ating bansa. We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economicpolicies. We will level the playing field for investors and makegovernment an enabler, not a hindrance, to business. Sa ganitong paraan lamang natin mapupunan ang kakulangan ng trabaho para sa ating mga mamamayan.

Layunin nating paramihin ang trabaho dito sa ating bansa upang hindi na kailanganin ang mangibang-bansa para makahanap ng trabaho. Ngunit habang ito ay hindi pa natin naaabot, inaatasan ko ang mga kawani ng DFA, POEA, OWWA at iba pang mga kinauukulang ahensiya na mas lalo pang paigtingin ang pagtugon sa mga hinaing at pangangailangan ng ating mga overseas Filipino workers.

Papaigtingin namin ang proseso ng konsultasyon at pag-uulat sa taumbayan. Sisikapin naming isakatuparan ang nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon na kinikilala ang karapatan ng mamamayan na magkaroon ng kaalaman ukol sa mga pampublikong alintana.

Binuhay natin ang diwa ng people power noong kampanya. Ipagpatuloy natin ito tungo sa tuwid at tapat na pamamahala. Ang naniniwala sa people power ay nakatuon sa kapwa at hindi sa sarili.

Sa mga nang-api sa akin, kaya ko kayong patawarin, at pinapatawad ko na kayo. Sa mga nang-api sa sambayanan, wala akong karapatan na limutin ang inyong mga kasalanan.

To those who are talking about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. Sa paglimot ng pagkakasala, sinisigurado mong mauulit muli ang mga pagkakasalang ito. Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

Ikinagagalak din naming ibahagi sa inyo ang pagtanggap ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide sa hamon ng pagtatatag at pamumuno sa isang Truth Commission na magbibigay linaw sa maraming kahinahinalang isyu na hanggang ngayon ay walang kasagutan at resolusyon.

Ang sinumang nagkamali ay kailangang humarap sa hustisya. Hindi maaaring patuloy ang kalakaran ng walang pananagutan at tuloy na pang-aapi.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflicts, inclusive of the interests of all – may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shalI defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitable governance leading to a better life. Sa tamang pamamahala gaganda ang buhay ng lahat, at sa buhay na maganda, sino pa ang gugustuhing bumalik sa panahon ng pang-aapi?

Kung kasama ko kayo, maitataguyod natin ang isang bayan kung saan pantay-pantay ang pagkakataon, dahil pantay-pantay nating ginagampanan ang ating mga pananagutan.

Kamakailan lamang, ang bawat isa sa atin ay nanindigan sa presinto. Bumoto tayo ayon sa ating karapatan at konsensiya. Hindi tayo umatras sa tungkulin nating ipaglaban ang karapatang ito.

Pagkatapos ng bilangan, pinatunayan ninyo na ang tao ang tunay na lakas ng bayan.

Ito ang kahalagahan ng ating demokrasya. Ito ang pundasyon ng ating pagkakaisa. Nangampanya tayo para sa pagbabago. Dahil dito taas-noo muli ang Pilipino. Tayong lahat ay kabilang sa isang bansa kung saan maaari nang mangarap muli.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, “it all works.”

Inaanyayahan ko kayo ngayon na manumpa sa ating mga sarili, sa sambayanan, WALANG MAIIWAN.

Walang pangingibang-bayan at gastusan na walang wastong dahilan. Walang pagtatalikod sa mga salitang binitawan noong kampanya, ngayon at hanggang sa mga susunod pang pagsubok na pagdadaanan sa loob ng anim na taon.

Walang lamangan, walang padrino at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawang-gawa.

Nandito tayo ngayon dahil sama-sama tayong nanindigan at nagtiwala na may pag-asa.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. Sa inyong mga nag-iisip pa kung tutulong kayo sa pagpasan ng ating krus, isa lang ang aking tanong – kung kailan tayo nanalo, saka pa ba kayo susuko?

Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to the people’s needs and aspirations.

Kayo ang nagdala sa akin sa puntong ito—ang ating mga volunteers—matanda, bata, celebrity, ordinaryong tao, na umikot sa Pilipinas para ikampanya ang pagbabago; ang aking mga kasambahay, na nag-asikaso ng lahat ng aking mga personal na pangangailangan; ang aking pamilya, kaibigan at katrabaho, na dumamay, nag-alaga at nagbigay ng suporta sa akin; ang ating mga abogado, na nagpuyat para bantayan ang ating mga boto at siguraduhing mabibilang ang bawat isa; ang aking mga kapartido at kaalyado na kasama kong nangahas mangarap; at ang milyun-milyong Pilipinong nagkaisa, nagtiwala at hindi nawalan ng pag-asa—nasa inyo ang aking taus-pusong pasasalamat.

Hindi ko makakayang harapin ang aking mga magulang, at kayong mga nagdala sa akin sa yugto ng buhay kong ito, kung hindi ko maisasakatuparan ang aking mga binitawang salita sa araw na ito.

My parents sought nothing less and died for nothing less than democracy, peace and prosperity. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.

Layunin ko na sa pagbaba ko sa katungkulan, masasabi ng lahat na malayo na ang narating natin sa pagtahak ng tuwid na landas at mas maganda na ang kinabukasang ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Samahan ninyo ako sa pagtatapos ng laban na ito. Tayo na sa tuwid na landas.

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!

Best of luck to the 15th Chief Executive of the Philippines! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Cheers,

Photo Credit: Jekeero

Catherine Zeta-Jones is one lucky lady these days!

Last May 23, Zeta-Jones won an Outstanding Actress in a Musical for her role as Desiree Armfeldt in the musical play, ‘A Little Night Music’ at the 2010 Drama Desk Awards in New York City.

Then, not even a month old from her triumph in 55th Drama Desk Award, the gorgeous Welsh actress bagged again a top honor for the same musical at the 2010 Tony Awards (Best Performance by a leading Actress in a Musical) last Sunday, June 13.

And lastly, as of press time, the beauteous Hollywood royalty can now officially put the letters CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) after her name as she has just been awarded in the 2010 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Zeta-Jones was honored by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to the film services to the film industry and charity. She received the CBE Royal Honor alongside actress Sophie Okonedo and actor John Nettles.

Wow, Catherine Zeta-Jones has indeed come a long way right after her Hollywood break in ‘The Mask of Zorro’.

Congratulations, idol!

Cheers,

Photo Credit: Whyfame

Erykah Badu’s new video ‘Window Seat’ is causing a stir as it went viral following its release on Monday, March 29, 2010.

The provocative five minute video of Badu slowly taking off all her clothes while walking along the streets of Dallas, Texas reportedly raised eyebrows from her fans and music observers alike as Badu parades through Dealey Plaza, a spot where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963!

Watch the uncut version right after the jump.

So, what do you think? Do you love it or hate it?

Cheers,

Photo Credit: Star Pulse

Former President Corazon ‘Cory’ Aquino was perhaps one of the most loved political personality of our generation today and it doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. Listed below are the reasons why I feel a great loss with the death of our iconic leader:

Girl Power

Who would have thought that a housewife can overthrow a dictator? Cory Aquino, only armored with a sincere passion to continue Ninoy Aquino’s legacy did that for the Philippines. Her grace under pressure attitude during her term was also commendable as she handled all the uprising and the criticisms with dignity.

Symbol of Democracy

Regardless of what political opponents say about her, Cory Aquino will forever be regarded as a symbol of democracy of the Philippines. The original People Power will always be synonymous with Madam Cory.

Humble Persona

Cory Aquino was the only Philippine President who did not consider Malacanang Palace as her ‘home’ during her tenure. In one of her interview, I vividly recalled her saying that the palace for her was just an’office’ and she was like a ‘visitor’ of the palace passing by. Even the role Chief of State did not even go up to her head.

Charismatic

She was perhaps one of the President in our lifetime that exuded a charismatic personality. Her approachable demeanor looked so convincing and her smiles? Hindi plastic!

Scandal Free

Though Cory’s tenure was bombarded with uprising, her personal life was free of scandals. Her Presidency was not even a subject of scrutiny against corruption or power tripping.

Thank you Tita Cory for believing that democracy is worth living for and thank you so much for being a mother to every people of this country.

God bless you!

Article originally posted at: Barrio Siete

Photo Credit: stephenjantacanay

Happy 4oth Anniversary to Apollo 11!

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin forever inspired a generation of scientists when they became the first humans to land on the moon. In fact, their famous ‘moonwalk’ (yeah, these guys were the ‘original’ moonwalkers) still captures the imagination of people until today.

So, in commemoration of their 40th anniversary, let me share to you some interesting facts about the Apollo 11 moon landing:

• U.S. astronauts landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969.

• An estimated half billion television viewers–at that time, the largest audience ever-watched.

• Neil Armstrong descended from the lunar module and became the first person to walk on the moon.

• As Armstrong walked on the moon he declared “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”

• A massive three-stage Saturn V booster rocket launched Apollo 11 on its lunar mission on July 16, 1969.

• After orbiting the earth for several hours, the third stage of the Saturn rocket was fired, sending Apollo 11 toward the moon.

• The spacecraft, which now consisted of a command and service module (CSM) and a lunar module (LM), orbited the moon for a day before the LM, with Armstrong and Air Force Colonel Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin on board, was separated from the CSM and began its descent to the moon.

• Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael Collins, the CSM pilot, remained in lunar orbit.

• The LM, dubbed “Eagle,” touched down on the moon’s surface on July 20.

• About 6 hours later, Armstrong and Aldrin donned their spacesuits and exited the LM.

• After practicing walking on the moon the astronauts deployed various equipment for scientific experiments.

• The astronauts collected about 50 pounds of lunar rocks and soil.

• Television cameras that the astronauts had mounted on the moon’s surface broadcast live images of their activities to viewers around the world.

• Following their 2.5 hour moonwalk, Armstrong and Aldrin blasted off from the moon on July 21, leaving behind a U.S. flag and a plaque bearing the inscription: “Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon. July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.”

• In a lunar orbit rendezvous, Armstrong and Aldrin joined Collins in the CSM and set the LM adrift in space.

• The Apollo 11 crew safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on July 24.

• U.S astronauts would return the moon’s surface five more times through December 1972.

Congratulations America for the Apollo 11 moon landing! Whoa, what a splendid memory of its 40th Anniversary!

Cheers,

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

A new book entitled ‘Tears in the Darkness: The Story of the Bataan Death March and its Aftermath’ was launched by authors Michael Norman and Elizabeth Norman in America.

The Normans, who are husband and wife, interviewed hundreds of American, Filipino and Japanese combatants. The book was reportedly took 10 years to finish.

Associated Press’ Richard Pyle described the book as:

…an extremely detailed and thoroughly chilling treatment that, given the passage of time and thinning of ranks, could serve as popular history’s final say on the subject.

The undisputed “King of Pop” who died last month at the age of 50, once said on his interviews that his own funeral would be the “greatest show on earth”. I bet he would not have been disappointed as music royalty turned out at a memorial service fit for a “King”.

Last July 7, 2009, family, loyal fans and friends gathered together to honor the ‘King of Pop’ at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. There were around 20,000 people attended at Michael Jackson’s tearful memorial service.

Family and friends gathered at the Jackson's house in Encino, California

More pictures after the jump:

'In Loving Memory: Michael Jackson King of Pop 1958-2009

Michael Jackson's brothers and friends carrying his casket

Michael Jackson's casket

Words from Michael Jackson’s family and friends

Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, his 11-year-old daughter: “Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine and I just wanted to say I love him so much.”

Marlon Jackson: “We will never, never, understand what he endured. Not being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathered around, being judged, being ridiculed, how much pain can one take?”

Queen Latifah: “I’m here representing millions of fans around the world who grew up listening to Michael, being inspired and loving Michael from a distance … Somehow when Michael Jackson sang and when he danced … we felt he was right there … He made you believe in yourself.”

Motown Records founder Berry Gordy: “When he did his iconic moonwalk, I was shocked. It was magic. Michael Jackson went into orbit and never came down. Though it ended way too soon, Michael’s life was beautiful.”

“He is quite simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived.”

Stevie Wonder: “This is a moment that I wish that I didn’t live to see come. But as much as I can say that and mean it, I do know that God is good and I do know that as much as we may feel – and we do – that we need Michael here with us, God must have needed him far more.”

Brooke Shields, recalling a moment she shared with Jackson at Elizabeth Taylor’s 1991 wedding: “We snuck in and took pictures of ourselves next to her dress. We always seemed to revert to being little kids.”

“He was often referred to as the King but the Michael that I knew was always the little prince.”

Smokey Robinson, reading a note from long-time Jackson friend Diana Ross: “Michael was a personal love of mine. A treasured part of my world … ”

Mariah Carey, after singing I’ll Be There: “We miss you, Michael.”

President Barack Obama, asked about the outpouring of emotion related to Jackson’s death during an interview in Moscow: “There are certain people in our popular culture that just capture people’s imaginations. And in death, they become even larger. Now, I have to admit that it’s also fed by a 24/7 media that is insatiable.”

The Rev Jesse Jackson, on how the Jackson family is coping: “They’re holding up well in part because they’re a strong family … a big family, religiously devout family. Therefore, they have a sense of insulation of their faith.”

Nelson Mandela, in a message read out by Smokey Robinson: “Michael was a giant and a legend in the music industry and we mourn with the millions of fans worldwide.”

Pastor Lucious Smith: “To millions around the world, Michael Jackson was an idol, a hero, even a king. But first and foremost this man before us today was a brother, a son, a father and a friend.”

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee: “We are the world and we are better because Michael Joseph Jackson lived. On behalf of myself and the people who are here, Michael Jackson, I salute you.”

Photo Credits: Ready2Beat