The earliest historic references to Minsk date to the 11th century 1067, when it was noted as a provincial city within the principality of Polotsk. The settlement developed on the rivers. In 1242, Minsk became a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It received town privileges in 1499.
A racegoer reacts to picking a winner in the first race on the third day of the Royal Ascot horserace meeting, which is traditionally known as Ladies Day, at Ascot, England Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Photo by Alastair Grant/AP Photo)
Ukraine's Viktoriia Onopriienko competes in the individual all-around qualification round during the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships at the West Japan General Exhibition Center in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka prefecture on October 27, 2021. (Photo by Charly Triballeau/AFP Photo)
Male and female bodybuilders prepare backstage to compete during the Asia Pacific Bodybuilding Championships 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, 17 August 2019. Hundreds of bodybuilders from Asia Pacific countries are set to flex their muscles to compete in the contest. (Photo by Rungroj Yongrit/EPA/EFE)
Storm clouds gather over the scene outside the Jewish Community Center in Leawood, Kansas following a shooting, on April 13, 2014. (Photo by John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT)
A Garba (folk dance) participant gets her back painted with an awareness message on vaccination against the Covid-19 coronavirus during the ongoing Navratri festival in Ahmedabad in western India on October 8, 2021. (Photo by Sam Panthaky/AFP Photo)
Australian comedian Barry Humphries, dressed as his most famous character Dame Edna Everage, modelling a stunning Ascot hat based on the Sydney Opera House on June 15, 1976. (Photo by Wesley/Getty Images)