They shared tips on Marilyn’s whereabouts—hotels, events, work sessions—and met regularly to catch glimpses of her. They even gave her a sweet nickname “Mazzie.” Marilyn appreciated their loyalty and friendly approach, often greeting them by name, consenting to photos or autographs, and even inviting them for a soda at her New York apartment, where she lived with Arthur Miller.

In 1955 alone, they spotted Marilyn at various locations: outside the Waldorf-Astoria, at the Times Square premiere of The Seven Year Itch, heading to Paula Strasberg’s acting studio, attending a performance of Damn Yankees, and walking to the Inherit the Wind play on Broadway. 

Members of the Monroe Six captured numerous candid photos—color and black and white—of Marilyn. Among them, James Collins later sold a collection of 183 rare and signed photographs at auction in 2016. Frieda Hull, in particular, amassed over 550 photos and even joined Pan Am Airlines to travel after Marilyn, continuing their fan-idol bond.

During the mid-20th century, many nurseries and childcare facilities in the UK (and other parts of Europe) believed that fresh air was essential for healthy child development, even during nap time. As a result, children would often be placed outside to sleep, even in colder weather, bundled up warmly in blankets and coats. This practice was rooted in public health beliefs aimed at preventing illnesses like tuberculosis, which was a serious concern in earlier decades.

This particular image is especially moving and symbolic, showing a diverse group of children napping side by side in a quiet moment amid post-war London life. Notting Hill in the 1950s was undergoing major social changes, with increasing immigration, racial tension, and evolving community structures. The photo reflects a moment of innocence, equality, and calm, contrasting with the social unrest and inequality that often characterized the adult world around them.

Mark Freuder Knopfler was born in Glasgow on August 12, 1949 and raised in Newcastle. By the early 1970s, he had moved to Leeds to study English at Leeds University, playing in local bands on the side. After graduating, he worked briefly as a teacher and journalist, all the while honing his distinctive fingerpicking guitar style influenced by artists like Chet Atkins and J.J. Cale. In 1973, he recorded a demo with a short-lived band called The Duolian String Pickers.

Knopfler quickly gained recognition for his unique fingerstyle guitar technique and his distinctive, clean, melodic sound. As the band’s frontman, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter, he was responsible for many of their early hits. His songwriting, often delivered in a laconic drawl, featured evocative storytelling and a blend of folk, blues, and country influences.

Knopfler’s talent was noticed by other musicians, most notably Bob Dylan. After seeing Dire Straits perform, Dylan was so impressed that he invited Knopfler and drummer Pick Withers to play on his 1979 album, Slow Train Coming. This collaboration further cemented Knopfler’s reputation as a gifted guitarist.

Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, returned to the WWF in late 1983. His persona was quickly recast as a patriotic, all-American hero. The “Hulkamania” movement began in earnest on January 23, 1984, when he defeated the Iron Sheik to win his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship. He successfully broke out of the Sheik’s submission move, the “camel clutch,” and won the title, solidifying his heroic status.

Hogan’s character was defined by his signature look (red and yellow gear, a bandana, and a horseshoe mustache) and his catchphrases, most notably his advice to “say your prayers and eat your vitamins.” He was a larger-than-life figure who captivated audiences, especially children, with his inspiring message and superhuman strength.

Throughout the 1980s, Hogan’s matches followed a recognizable pattern: he’d take a beating, “Hulk up” (shaking his head, no-selling punches), point at his opponent, land a big boot, and finish with the leg drop. This formula, along with his red-and-yellow color scheme, became as much a part of ’80s wrestling as the WWF logo itself.

The 1980s were filled with iconic feuds and championship reigns for Hulk Hogan.

• André the Giant: The rivalry with André the Giant was perhaps the most significant of the decade. Their feud culminated in the main event of WrestleMania III in 1987, where Hogan famously body-slammed the nearly 520-pound giant. This moment, often called the “slam heard ‘round the world,” is one of the most memorable in wrestling history.

• “Rowdy” Roddy Piper: Hogan’s feud with the villainous “Rowdy” Roddy Piper was central to the “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection” era, which saw the WWF integrate with mainstream pop culture. Their rivalry headlined the first-ever WrestleMania in 1985, where Hogan teamed with actor Mr. T to defeat Piper and Paul Orndorff.

• “Macho Man” Randy Savage: Hogan’s partnership and subsequent rivalry with Randy Savage dominated the late 1980s. They initially formed a popular tag team known as “The Mega Powers.” However, their alliance disintegrated due to Savage’s jealousy over Hogan’s relationship with Savage’s manager, Miss Elizabeth. This led to a high-profile match at WrestleMania V in 1989, where Hogan defeated Savage to regain the WWF Championship.

Hogan’s first WWF Championship reign lasted an astounding 1,474 days, from January 1984 to February 1988, establishing him as the unquestioned top star of the company. He headlined eight of the first nine WrestleMania events, a testament to his dominance and popularity.

A backstuga (literally “slope cottage” or “freeground cottage”) is a Swedish language judicial term, previously used in Finland and Sweden, for a kind of rural cottage.

The basic criterion is that the small building on someone else’s property, often public land, is a finite right that cannot be sold. Unlike pure squatter slums, there was usually some form of legal contract on a backstuga. A small piece of land, suitable for, for example, a potato field, often belonged to the backstuga.

The term has been known since the beginning of the 17th century, but it was only from the beginning of the 19th century that backstugusittare were reported separately from crofters. The estate statistics of 1805 say just over 28 000 backstugor, while in the middle of the 19th century 45 000, and in 1885 50 000 are reported and 1910 down to 22 658.

Additionally, in architecture, a backstuga is a cottage built into the southern slope of a hill, alternatively with a low floor and its walls stretched halfway down into the ground. Such cottages are also referred to as jordstuga (earth cottage) or stenstuga (stone cottage). They were small, typically about 20 square metres (220 sq ft), and only exceptionally found further north than Gothenburg. In the 20th century, the general poverty was mitigated and this kind of homes became less and less used. They were very close in design to Anglo-Saxon Pit-houses.

Backstugas were often inhabited by old, decrepit people and could, for example, be assigned to exceptions contracts, retired faithful servants, or the parish’s poor boys instead of for the poorhouse. Exceptions contract is a contractual right for the seller to retain for the remainder of his life the usufruct of a small residence or a small area of land that is exempt from the buyer’s right to dispose of the transferred agricultural property.

33⅓ Revolutions per Monkee is a television special starring the Monkees that aired on NBC on April 14, 1969. The musical guests included Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Little Richard, the Clara Ward Singers, the Buddy Miles Express, Paul Arnold and the Moon Express and We Three. The special was produced by Jack Good, creator of the television series Shindig!.

Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger (with their backing band the Trinity) also played a prominent role. This special is notable as the Monkees’ final performance as a quartet until 1986, as Peter Tork left the group at the end of the special’s production.