TENNIS

  Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each. Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all ages. The sport can be played by anyone who can hold a racket, including people in wheelchairs.

The modern game of tennis originated in Birmingham, England in the late 19th century as "lawn tennis" which has close connections to various field games as well as to the ancient game of real tennis.

The rules of tennis have not changed much since the 1890s. A recent addition to professional tennis has been the adoption of electronic review technology coupled with a point challenge system, which allows a player to challenge the line (or chair) umpire's call of a point. Players have unlimited opportunities to challenge provided the challenges made are correct. However, once three incorrect challenges are made in a set, they cannot challenge again until the next set. If the set goes to a tie break, players are given one additional opportunity to challenge the call. This electronic review, currently called Hawk-Eye, is available at a limited number of high-level ATP and WTA tournaments.

Tennis is enjoyed by millions of recreational players and is also a hugely popular worldwide spectator sport, especially the four Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open played on hard courts, the French Open played on red clay courts, Wimbledon played on grass courts, and the US Open played also on hard courts.

You are able to watch a video about tennis in London Olympic Games 2012 here:

http://www.london2012.com/tennis

John Tyler - Tenth President of the United States

John Tyler was born on March 29, 1790 in Virginia. Not much is known about his childhood though he grew up on a plantation in Virginia. His Mother died when he was only seven. At twelve, he entered the College of William and Mary Preparatory School. He graduated from the College proper in 1807. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1809. 

From 1811-16, 1823-5, and 1838-40, John Tyler was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. In 1813, he did join the militia but never saw action. In 1816, Tyler was elected to be a U.S. Representative. He strongly opposed every move towards power for the Federal government that he saw as unconstitutional. He eventually resigned. He was Governor of Virginia from 1825-7 until he was elected a U.S. Senator.

John Tyler was the Vice President under William Henry Harrison in the election of 1840. He was chosen to balance the ticket since he was from the South. He took over upon Harrison's quick demise after only one month in office. He was sworn in on April 6, 1841 and did not have a Vice President because no provisions had been made in the Constitution for one. In fact, many tried to claim that Tyler was actually only "Acting President." He fought against this perception and won legitimacy.

John Tyler did not run for reelection in 1844. He retired to his farm in Virginia and later served as Chancellor of the College of William and Mary. As the Civil War approached, Tyler spoke for secession. He was the only president to join the Confederacy. He died on January 18, 1862 at the age of 71.

Tyler was important first of all for setting the precedent of his becoming president as opposed to just Acting President for the rest of his term. He was not able to accomplish much in his administration due to the lack of party support. However, he did sign the annexation of Texas into law. Overall, he is considered to be a subpar president.

 

You can watch a video about John Tyler here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_xxx9PNfPs&noredirect=1

Search for more information here: 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/johntyler
http://www.nndb.com/people/851/000049704/
Special facts about his life are here:
http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/jtyler.html