1993 - Data Points by Date/Period

Founded in 1906 by three monks from Jiangsu Province in China, it was initially called 'The Big Hut' (大茅蓬 Tai Mao Pung) before being renamed Po Lin Monastery in 1924. The main temple houses three bronze statues of the Buddha, representing his past, present, and future lives, along with many Buddhist scriptures.The monastery’s Tian Tan Buddha, a giant statue completed in 1993, is an extension of the site. Nearby, the Ngong Ping 360, which includes Ngong Ping village and a gondola lift connecting Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, was built near the monastery. Notable architectural features of Po Lin Monastery include the Main Shrine Hall of Buddha and the Hall of Bodhisattva Skanda.The monastery is also known for producing wooden bracelets, which are sold exclusively near the Tian Tan Buddha statue.In 1918, three nuns from Po Lin Monastery established a private nunnery, Chi Chuk Lam (紫竹林), dedicated to Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, on Lantau's Lower Keung Hill. In the 1950s, about 20 jushi and nuns lived there, but today, only an elderly abbess remains.

The Big Buddha, a large bronze statue of Buddha completed in 1993, is located at Ngong Ping near Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, Hong Kong. The base of the statue is modeled after a similar structure in the United Kingdom. As one of the five major Buddha statues in China, it sits enthroned on a lotus atop a three-tiered platform.Surrounding the statue are six smaller bronze figures known as 'The Offering of the Six Devas.' These figures present symbolic gifts—flowers, incense, a lamp, ointment, fruit, and music—representing the Six Perfections: generosity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation, and wisdom, which are essential for achieving enlightenment.Standing 34 meters (112 feet) tall and weighing over 250 metric tons (280 short tons), the Big Buddha was constructed from 202 bronze pieces supported by a robust steel framework. Visitors can ascend 268 steps to reach the statue, though there is also a winding road for vehicles, offering accessibility for disabled visitors. The statue’s raised right hand symbolizes the removal of affliction, while the open left hand resting on its lap signifies generosity.Beneath the statue are three exhibit halls: the Hall of the Universe, the Hall of Benevolent Merit, and the Hall of Remembrance. A notable feature inside is a relic of Gautama Buddha, believed to be part of his cremated remains.Construction of the Big Buddha began in 1990 and was completed on December 29, 1993, a date commemorating the Buddha’s enlightenment in Chinese tradition. The unveiling ceremony included monks and distinguished guests from around the world, including representatives from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the United States.The Big Buddha has also been featured in philatelic commemorations. On October 18, 1999, the Hong Kong Post Office issued a definitive landmark stamp series, with the HK$2.50 stamp depicting the statue. Later, on May 22, 2012, the Big Buddha appeared on the HK$3 stamp in the Five Festival series, celebrating the birth of Sakyamuni Buddha.

The Cross-Harbour Tunnel (CHT or XHT) is Hong Kong's first underwater tunnel, consisting of two steel road tunnels with two lanes each, constructed using the single shell immersed tube method. Opened in 1972, it was the first of three vehicular harbour crossings in Hong Kong. Initially built under a 30-year private-sector franchise, the tunnel’s title passed to the Hong Kong government in 1999 when the franchise ended.The tunnel, one of the most congested roads in Hong Kong, saw 116,753 vehicles passing through daily in 2013. The project followed a build–operate–transfer (BOT) model, with a private company responsible for financing, construction, operation, and toll collection for 30 years. The original concession was granted to Cross-Harbour Tunnel Company Limited (now Cross-Harbour Holdings Limited), which was founded in 1965. The Hong Kong government held a 20% stake to maintain influence. Designed with two lanes in each direction, the tunnel was intended to accommodate 80,000 vehicles daily. The project was jointly engineered by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Partners and Freeman Fox & Partners.Linking Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, the tunnel connects Kellett Island (now part of Hong Kong Island due to reclamation) to a reclaimed area near Hung Hom Bay in Kowloon, near the former Hong Kong Technical College. The tunnel's toll plaza, located at the Hung Hom end, has 14 toll booths. Before its construction, cross-harbour vehicular traffic relied on ferries, while passengers used the Star Ferry.Construction began in September 1969 and was completed a year ahead of schedule, opening on 2 August 1972. Initially charging HK$5 per car, the operator recouped the construction costs in just three and a half years. In 1984, the Hong Kong government introduced an additional tax to address overcrowding, raising the toll to HK$10 per car.In 1993, an electronic toll collection system was installed, increasing vehicle capacity by better managing traffic flow. The tunnel was operated by Cross-Harbour Tunnel Company Ltd until 1999, after which the government took over. From November 2010, Serco managed the tunnel under contract, later replaced by Chun Wo Tunnel Management Limited in 2016. In November 2022, Serco resumed management.The tunnel gained cultural significance in 2017 when it was featured in the Hong Kong action film 'Shock Wave', starring Andy Lau. In November 2019, during the Hong Kong protests, demonstrators set up roadblocks and set fire to tollbooths, leading to the tunnel's closure for several days.In 2023, manual toll collectors were replaced by HKeToll, an electronic toll collection system. Cash and Octopus Cards are no longer accepted, and toll booths have been removed. The tunnel now generates approximately HK$700 million in annual toll revenue.

The Montreal Casino (French: Casino de Montréal), located on Notre Dame Island in Montreal, Quebec, is the largest casino in Canada. It opened on October 9, 1993, and operates seven days a week, from morning until late night. The casino is housed in two former Expo 67 pavilions within Jean-Drapeau Park on Notre Dame Island—a man-made island in the St. Lawrence River created for the 1967 World’s Fair. It shares the island with the Gilles Villeneuve racing circuit, the Olympic Basin, and an artificial lake with a small beach.Owned and operated by the Société des casinos du Québec (a subsidiary of Loto-Québec), the casino’s profits support the Government of Quebec. By 2019, it employed around 2,800 people. Visitors can access the casino via the De la Concorde bridge from Cité du Havre or by taking public transit to Jean Drapeau Metro station on nearby Saint Helen’s Island and then boarding a connecting bus.Founded in 1992 with a $95 million investment, the Montreal Casino was the first of several casinos established by the Société des casinos du Québec. It replaced the Palais des civilisations, formerly the Quebec Pavilion during Expo 67, and annexed the nearby France Pavilion via a bridge. Upon opening, the casino attracted thousands of visitors and reached 780,000 guests in its first year, initially employing 700 people.The casino underwent significant changes over the years: it expanded in 1993, became a 24-hour facility in 1997, and adopted a non-smoking policy in 2003. A major renovation in 2013 included the addition of a digital wall spanning three floors, created with Moment Factory. In 2014, the casino introduced 'The Zone,' a new interactive gaming area. Following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the casino adjusted its hours, closing at 3 AM on weekdays and 5 AM on weekends. In 2021, its fine-dining restaurant, L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, closed permanently.

The Confederation Bridge, known as the Pont de la Confédération in French, spans the Abegweit Passage of the Northumberland Strait, connecting Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick via the Trans-Canada Highway. Unveiled on May 31, 1997, this 12.9-kilometer (8.0 mi) structure claims the title of Canada's lengthiest bridge and holds the distinction of being the world's longest bridge over ice-covered water. Constructed between October 1993 and May 1997 at a cost of C$1.3 billion, the bridge was informally dubbed the 'Fixed Link' by locals before its official inauguration. Functioning as a two-lane toll bridge along the Trans-Canada Highway, it links Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island (at Route 1) to Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick (at Route 16). This balanced cantilever bridge boasts a post-tensioned concrete box girder structure and features a majority of its curved span at a height of 40 meters (131 ft) above the water, with a navigational gap of 60 meters (197 ft) for passing ships. Supported by 62 piers, including 44 main piers spaced 250 meters (820 ft) apart, the bridge spans a width of 11 meters (36 ft). Travelers are subject to an 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph) speed limit, although this can be adjusted based on prevailing wind and weather conditions. At the prescribed speed limit, the crossing typically takes about 12 minutes.

Opus One Winery, situated in Oakville, California, originally known as napamedoc, adopted its current name in 1982. Founded as a collaboration between Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, the winery aimed to craft a Bordeaux-style blend primarily using Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Positioned adjacent to the Robert Mondavi Winery, its establishment in 1980 made headlines, lending prestige to the burgeoning Napa wine region. Initially released in 1984 alongside the 1980 vintage, Opus One's debut vintage, the 1979, marked a significant moment. It quickly became renowned as one of Napa Valley's priciest wines, with the 2014 vintage retailing at $325 per bottle. In 1989, a new winery emerged nearby, producing its inaugural vintage in 1991. Additionally, since 1993, the winery has crafted a second wine, Overture.History of Opus One WineryOpus One's inception dates back to a meeting in 1970 between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Hawaii, igniting their ambition to blend traditional and contemporary winemaking approaches. Although officially announced in 1980, their collaboration had been evolving since the early 1970s. The first vintage, crafted in 1979 using grapes from Mondavi's To Kalon Vineyard, laid the groundwork for the joint venture. Subsequently, in 1980, 35 acres of this vineyard were sold to the partnership, shaping the backbone of their blend, with the initial vintage from this block released in 1985. The estate's iconic limestone winery in Oakville was constructed between 1989 and 1991. Opus One gained prominence in the 1990s as a sought-after California cult wine, reaching markets in Asia and Europe. Post Constellation Brands' acquisition of Robert Mondavi Winery in 2004, the estate of Baron Rothschild negotiated with Constellation Brands for control over marketing, vineyard management, and winery administration.Opus One produced its inaugural vintage in 1979, yet the construction of the Opus One Winery commenced a decade later. Positioned facing the Mondavi winery, the architectural design by Scott Johnson aimed to seamlessly integrate with the valley's rugged terrain while exuding a classical aesthetic. The winery's construction posed challenges due to its location atop a high water table, necessitating careful excavation, and benefiting from the warmth of nearby geothermal springs that influence its soil. Spanning 108 acres, the winery hosts a vine distribution of 2,200 vines per acre.

The Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, also known as Frančiškanska cerkev in Slovene, stands prominently on Prešeren Square in Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital. Serving as the parish church of Ljubljana's Annunciation Parish, its origins trace back to a construction period between 1646 and 1660, likely replacing two or three earlier churches. The bell towers were added around 1720 under the direction of Francesco Olivieri and Francesco Rosina. In 1858, the church's exterior underwent redesigning based on plans by Franz Kurz zum Thurn und Goldenstein. Internally, frescoes by Matevž Langus [sl] in the mid-19th century and ceiling artwork by Matej Sternen in the early 20th century grace the church. The main altar, a prominent feature, was primarily crafted by the Baroque sculptor Francesco Robba in 1736. The church's distinct red or pink hue holds symbolic significance associated with the Franciscan monastic order. Recognized for its historical and cultural significance, the church attained protected status as a national cultural monument of Slovenia in 2008.The interior of the church showcases a basilica design in early-Baroque style, featuring a main altar crafted by sculptor Francesco Robba. Most frescoes, painted by Matevž Langus in the mid-19th century, and additional contributions by Janez Wolf in 1882, suffered damage during the 1895 Ljubljana earthquake. New ceiling frescoes in a Baroque trompe-l'œil style were executed by Matej Sternen in the 1930s. Regarding the facade, built in Baroque style between 1703–1706, it underwent a complete redesign in 1858, overseen by Franz Kurz zum Thurn und Goldenstein. The color was changed to red, replacing the previous white, and adorned with a statue of Our Lady of Loretto atop the entrance, replacing an older Black Madonna statue. The facade showcases pilasters with Ionic and Corinthian capitals, embellished with volutes, and sculptures of God the Father, an angel, and the Virgin Mary by Paolo Callalo. The entrance boasts a 19th-century wooden door featuring relief sculptures of women's heads. Renovations were carried out in the 20th century in 1961 and 1992–93.

Sigulda Castle, also referred to as Sigulda New Castle (Siguldas jaunā pils in Latvian), was constructed in 1878, showcasing the neo-Gothic architectural style. Originally intended as the residence for the Kropotkin family, owners of the manor, its ownership and purpose underwent multiple alterations over time. Since 1993, the Sigulda Region Council has been situated within the castle's premises.The Sigulda manor's focal point, evolving from the Sigulda Medieval Castle's fore-castle during the 17th century, boasts 18th and 19th-century structures linked to the Von Borghs and Kropotkins. Notable among these are the Summer Castle, New Castle, White Castle, vagar's house, servants' quarters, a barn, laundry, and a fruit and vegetable cellar. Enclosed by rugged boulder walls and a grand gate structure, this central area retains historical charm. The New Castle, constructed between 1878 and 1881 during Duchess Olga and Duke Dimitry Kropotkins' tenure, reused materials from a 17th-century predecessor. Built in neo-Gothic style by Jānis Mengelis, its architectural value lies in Gothic elements and the hues of repurposed boulders. The panoramic view from its windows encompasses the Gauja River valley, Sigulda castle ruins, Krimulda, and Turaida. Following World War I, the castle was destroyed, later becoming the Writers’ Castle in 1922, hosting literary figures and undergoing substantial restoration. In 1934, the Latvian Press Society acquired the castle, initiating significant reconstruction led by architect August Birkhans in 1936–1937. The tower was heightened, the terrace expanded, and modern interior design introduced, shaping it into a prominent example of national modern design in the Baltic region. The monument of Atis Kronvalds was unveiled in 1938. Post-war, it served various purposes, including housing for high state officials and a rehabilitation center until Latvian independence restoration. From 1993 to 2002, it housed the Sigulda City Council, transitioning to the Sigulda District Council from 2003 onwards. The adjacent Summer Castle, fashioned in classicism style, initially served as an orthodox church before being remodeled for various uses. Additionally, the former brewery was transformed into an art gallery within the Sigulda manor.

The Legislative Building in the Northwest Territories, nestled in Yellowknife, serves as the seat of the Legislative Assembly. Throughout its history, the territory's legislature occupied various temporary and permanent spaces. The most recent establishment, completed in 1993 and put into use in 1994, was officially inaugurated that year by Queen Elizabeth II of Canada. Designed by Ferguson Simek Clark/Pin Matthews from Yellowknife in collaboration with Matsuzaki Wright Architects Inc from Vancouver, this two-story structure houses two prominent round halls: the Great Hall and the Caucus Room. Its surroundings, overlooking Frame Lake, were meticulously designed by Cornelia Oberlander.

The Mausoleum of Tangun, located in Kangdong near Pyongyang, North Korea, is believed to be the burial site of Tangun, the legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom. A pyramid with 1994 stone blocks was constructed atop the grave in 1994. The complex covers approximately 1.8 km² (0.70 mi²) on Mount Taebak's slope and comprises restoration work areas, stone statue sections, and the burial site. Dangun's grave resembles a step pyramid, standing about 22 m (72 ft) high and 50 m (164 ft) on each side. According to North Korean claims, Gojoseon was founded around 2333 BCE, but recent excavations suggest an even earlier origin of approximately 3000 BCE, making the site around 5011 years old as of 1993. North Korean leader Kim Il Sung advocated for Dangun's historical existence, leading to archaeological efforts to locate his remains and grave. In 1993, North Korean academia reported the discovery of 86 human bone remains, dating back over 5011 years, supporting the claim.

1993 (35)

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10-02-2022

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30-01-2024

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