Soaring above Sri Lankan skies, the Sigiriya palace reminds us of the rewards--and costs--of power.Rising out of the jungle in the very center of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is what remains of an extinct volcano. From base to height, this tower of hardened magma stands 600 feet tall, and archaeological evidence shows that human communities have lived here for around 10,000 years. But the reason that the Lion Mountain, as its name translates, draws more tourists than any other site in Sri Lanka today is that an ancient prince built his palace here after killing his father and stealing the throne from his brother.

What happened on this day in history: Famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass dies in 1895, Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain is born, and other important events from February 20th.1792: The U.S. Post Office Department Is Founded President George Washington signs the Postal Service Act establishing the U.S. Post Office Department. The act reinforced Congress’ right to establish new mail routes, allowed inexpensive newspaper deliveries, and established a right to mail privacy by making it illegal for postal officials to open letters and packages.

What happened on this day in history: Napoleon Bonaparte returns from exile in 1815, Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin is first published, and more.43 B.C.E.: Ovid Is Born Roman poet Pūblius Ovidius Nāsō, better known as Ovid, is born in Sulmo, Italy. Along with Virgil and Horace, Ovid is frequently considered one of the greatest poets of Latin literature. His most well-known work is Metamorphoses, or “Transformations,” a collection of mythological stories about humans transforming into other objects.

A Florida Man Tries To Outdrive The Law An NBC News segment on the bizarre incident. What is the smartest course of action when you’re being held at a traffic stop by an office? Well, if you’re Florida man Rocky Money Rudolph Jr., the answer is speeding off — with the deputy in question hanging off the hood of your car. According to CBS News, Rudolph sped off with the sheriff’s deputy dangling from his hood for nearly 100 yards before he stopped.

Source: Wikimedia A paradox of George Orwell’s legacy is that the term Orwellian has come to mean a cynical manipulation of language. Of course, Orwell’s own prose fought constantly against such deceit. He was a carpenter of the English language, and his paragraphs are simple, unvarnished attempts at nailing together the truth. Below are some of the most memorable George Orwell quotes on power and politics: To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle.