Some songwriters have made whole careers out of this…

10 famous apologies remembered (even if not believed)

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From solemn and historical gestures to lighthearted expressions, apologies can take many forms. These very forms can determine whether the apology is accepted and believed or dismissed as false and insincere. The following ten examples, taken from different times in history, show us how to apologize properly—and how not to.

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Galileo Galilei’s affirmation and publications supporting the notion that the Earth wasn’t at the center of the Universe were contrary to what the Bible might suggest. As a result, the Inquisition not only restricted Galileo from publishing his works that may support ideas deemed blasphemous by the Church but also had him imprisoned. The order was later changed to house arrest.

In 1992, 359 years after the incident, Pope John Paul II declared that Galileo wasn’t wrong. Maybe not an apology per se, but at least it was something, right?

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Not every apology needs to be expressed in words. In 1077, Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV traveled across the Alps to beg for Pope Gregory VII's forgiveness. Only after three days of kneeling in the snow did Henry finally convince the Pontiff to welcome him back into the Catholic Church.

Henry IV had been excommunicated in the first place for usurping the Pope's authority and appointing his own bishops, a practice that was highly frowned upon at the time.

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The earliest apology showcased on this list belongs to Socrates, whose words were immortalized by Plato in a famous essay. It recounts how Socrates defended himself against charges of corrupting Athens’ youth and blaspheming local gods with his philosophical teachings.

While Socrates' speech is a classic, a jury of his peers remained unconvinced and he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Plato quotes Socrates as saying at his sentencing: "The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways—I to die, and you to live. Which is better, God only knows." Once again, so much for saying "I'm sorry."

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Bill Clinton’s address to the nation on Aug. 17, 1998, is probably the most public acknowledgment of presidential misconduct in U.S. history. "Indeed I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong... I misled people, including even my wife. I deeply regret that."

He confessed to an improper relationship with an intern but sought to put an end to the scandal, defiantly insisting that "even Presidents have private lives." It wasn't to be. Interest among the press, the public, and even Congress ultimately led to the second presidential impeachment in U.S. history.

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Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered a contrite apology for attending a Downing Street garden party while the country was under a strict coronavirus lockdown. He insisted that the gathering was a work event and did not breach government regulations on social mixing during the early days of the pandemic. "I want to apologize. I know the rage they feel with me and with the government I lead when they think in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules. There were things we simply did not get right, and I must take that responsibility," Johnson said.

The apology might have brought Johnson some political breathing room but, in the end, it did little to dispel the rage because he eventually resigned from his post.

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Martha Stewart, the celebrity homemaker and media personality, was convicted in 2004 for lying to investigators about a stock sale and was sentenced to five months in prison.

While she sought to downplay the conviction as a "small personal matter," Martha was also contrite about its impact. "Today is a shameful day," she said. "It’s shameful for me, and for my family, and my beloved company, and all of its employees and partners."

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When the German Chancellor Willy Brandt was scheduled to visit the Polish capital of Warsaw to sign the Treaty of Warsaw and formally recognize the border between Poland and East Germany in 1970, it was not expected of him to carry the guilt or the need to make amends for the actions of Nazi Germany during the war.

But, when he walked up to the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes in Warsaw, he took a moment to himself and promptly got on both his knees. This gesture probably helped his achievements as West Germany’s Chancellor which led him to the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971.

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Everyone has seen or heard about the infamous slap Will Smith delivered to Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. Mr. Rock was presenting the ceremony and made a joke about Jada Pinkett’s hair—Will Smith’s wife—, to which Smith took offense. He proceeded to stand up, walk to the stage, and slap Chris Rock in the face.

What made matters even more awkward was the fact that Will Smith had to walk onstage just a few moments later, to receive a Best Actor award and deliver his acceptance speech. He apologized during his speech and has since issued at least one public apology video expressing his regret for the incident.

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In June 2015, France's Ecology Minister Ségolène Royal said on French television that people should avoid eating Nutella because it is made with palm oil. She noted that palm oil plantations contribute to deforestation and climate change. But, after her comments, the Italian manufacturers of Nutella responded that their products were created with palm oil from sustainable plantations.

Italian politicians called on Royal to apologize and she eventually did. "A thousand apologies for the row over Nutella," Royal said on Twitter. "Okay to showcase progress."

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Kanye West, the rapper, made headlines in 2009 when he interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards, saying: "Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’ma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time! One of the best videos of all time!" West was heavily criticized for cutting her off and ruining her winning moment.

He later issued an apology to Swift and her mother: "I’m sooooooo sorry to Taylor Swift and her fans and her mum. I spoke to her mother right after and she said the same thing my mother would’ve said. She is very talented! I like the lyrics about being a cheerleader and she’s in the bleachers! I’m in the wrong for going on stage and taking away from her moment! I’m not crazy y’all, I’m just real. Sorry for that!!! I really feel bad for Taylor and I’m sincerely sorry!!! Much respect!!!"

LOVE IS IN BLOOM

The 10 Most Popular Flowers In America And The Origin Of Their Names

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None of the flowers on this list are exactly indigenous to our continent, however, over the years, they have managed to conquer the hearts —and vases— of all Americans.

From the most googled flower to the best-selling one, these gorgeous blooms can be found in almost every park, botanical garden, and backyard across the country. And to add to the charm, the origin of their names is fascinating! Read on to learn the best-kept secrets of our most beloved flowers.

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Did you know the iris is the state flower of Tennessee? According to historians, the origin of the iris flower is probably Syria. In the 18th century BC, after Egypt conquered the region, the cultivation of this highly valued flower expanded to North Africa and other areas, becoming more popular over the years. Thus, in India and Egypt irises were used for medicinal purposes and, because of their strong perfume, as an offering to the gods.

Like many other flowers, the name we give iris today comes from Ancient Greece, it literally means rainbow. In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger between heaven and earth for Hera and Zeus. In addition, Iris was considered a tender companion for women on their deathbeds. Even today, Greek people plant purple irises on the graves of women, as a way of giving them a resting farewell.

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Nothing says spring more than a bunch of golden-yellow daffodils! The earliest record of daffodils dates back to 300 BC in Greece. Then, during the imperial period, Roman soldiers popularized them throughout Europe, since they believed they had healing powers. In the 17th century, young girls used to sell small bouquets of daffodils on the streets of London and it became one of Shakespeare’s favorite flowers.

The origin of the name of this member of the narcissus plant family is a bit uncertain. Many believe that it derives from Medieval Latin affodillus, a variant of Latin asphodelus, but why the letter d was later added is still to be determined. Whatever the case, daffodils symbolize luck, rebirth, and hope, especially in China, where they are usually in bloom around the Chinese New Year. In America, daffodils are in great esteem as well. For example, each spring, hundreds of bulbs pop up at Kansas City's botanical garden!

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Few people know that there are over 100 different species of lilies. This flower, which symbolizes purity and fertility, comes in a wide range of shapes, colors, and sizes, the most common being the white lily. Lilies grow natively all over the world but are most frequently found in the northern hemisphere, in forests and mountains in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Lilies have come a long way in human history. The word lily derives from the Latin līlia and ancient Greek leírion, which etymologists associate with ḥrrt, the ancient Egyptian word for "flower". In fact, Egyptians believed lilies were sacred, the Romans used them to fill pillows, and in Greek mythology, lilies are said to have originated from Hera’s breast milk. Nowadays, in the US, lilies are one of the most popular flowers for funerals and are also the traditional flower for 30th wedding anniversaries.

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If you are feeling stressed just think of a meadow full of poppies and you’ll instantly feel better. From Asia to Europe and North America, you can find these vibrant colorful flowers in the countryside or even on the side of the roads. Since World War I, in the US the red poppy —also called Remembrance Poppy— is a symbol of sacrifice and honor used to celebrate veterans, especially on Memorial Day.

The term poppy comes from the Old English word popæg, which in turn derives from the Latin papaver, possibly a phonetic imitation of the sound of flowers rattling in the wind. Due to their beauty and medicinal properties, humans have been growing poppies since ancient times. In Greece and Rome, poppies were used in religious rituals to honor the goddess of agriculture, Demeter. In more recent history, this flower with over 70 different species has been depicted by several artists, from Van Gogh and Monet to Georgia O’Keefe.

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Did you know that some peonies can change their color? While blooming, Coral Charm peonies transform from coral to cerise, then to orange and finally, they become white. Don’t trust us? Ask your local florist!

The term peony can be traced back to Ancient Greece. There are two myths that can explain its origin: one is related to Paeon, the physician to the gods, and the other to a flirty nymph called Paeonia. In any case, Peonies have been around for more than 4,000 years. They were first grown in Chinese gardens as a symbol of the emperor's wealth. Later on, they made their way to Japan, now one of the largest producers of peonies in the world. In the 1950s breeders started cultivating peonies in the United States mainly as a decorative flower, though in the past they were used as medicine to treat asthma and headaches.

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Roses are red… We’ve all recited this classic children’s rhyme at least once in our lives. But in reality, roses come in all different colors and each has a different meaning. Red roses are universally known to symbolize love and romance. Still, for example, the yellow rose is considered a friendship flower, and black roses are used to convey sorrow and mourning.

The word rose derives from the Latin Rosa, which in turn comes from Greek and Old Persian. Ancient Empires like the Egyptians and the Chinese used roses as offerings to the gods and in funeral rituals. Later on, Christians would adopt red and white roses to commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Today, we cultivate roses mostly for their beauty and scent, and they are the go-to flower for lovers, friends, and weddings. And yeap, you guessed it, roses are the most googled flower!

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Orchids are fascinating flowers that come in all sizes, colors, and shapes. In fact, there are more than 25,000 known species of orchids. These delicate blooms are a bit tricky to grow and take care of at home, but they are very popular nonetheless. The thing is, in the wild, orchids thrive in several diverse landscapes and can be found all around the world, from Asia and Africa to Europe and America.

Today, orchids are associated with luxury and love, but in ancient Greece, they were a symbol of virility and were even considered an aphrodisiac. In Greek, the word orchis means testicle. The flower was named like this because of the shape of the roots of some species.

Fun fact: In the U.S. orchid lovers can find the rarest orchid of them all: the Ghost Orchid, an elegant white flower with long petals that has become a symbol of the South Florida landscape.

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The lovely fragrance of lavender has a calming effect on the mind and the body, so it is not a surprise this beautiful violet flower is still popular in 21st-century America. The first lavender plants arrived in the US after the first settlers and it was used to reduce smells and as an herb for cooking meat and flavoring teas. Today, lavender is still cultivated throughout the country.

Lavender is thought to have originated around 2,500 years ago in the Mediterranean, India, and the Middle East. Ancient Egyptians used to make perfume out of lavender, and traces of the scent were even found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. In Roman times, lavender was used to heal battle wounds, since the plant is a natural antiseptic. Interestingly, the word lavender is believed to derive from lavare, a Latin term that means to wash.

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There’s no summer without a garden full of wild daisies popping up everywhere, don’t you think? There are more than 20,000 different types of daisies and they grow everywhere in the world except Antarctica. Daisies are a symbol of innocence and purity and are one of the most popular flowers in America. The most famous kinds are the Gerbera daisy, the flower of choice for birthdays and weddings, and the iconic Shasta daisy, one of the easiest to grow and take care of.

Daisies have been around since at least 2,200 B.C. The term daisy comes from the Old English daes eage, meaning day’s eye, since this type of flower blossoms at dawn. Ancient Egyptians grew them mostly as an herbal remedy to treat stomach aches and fever. Even today, every grandma would agree that a fragrant daisy tea with honey is the preferred treatment for the common cold!

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Some say tulips are the most sold flower in the US. We have no proof but we have no doubts either: the tulip is one of the most revered and coveted flowers by Americans. This vividly colored flower is native to Central Asia and was first cultivated in Iran. Over the years, Tulips became a staple of the Ottoman Empire and were eventually introduced in Europe around the 16th century. The first recorded shipment of bulbs was delivered from Istanbul to the Netherlands. Since the tulip is a symbol of the Dutch Republic, they probably made their way into America with the first settlers who arrived in Plymouth.

The word tulip comes either from the Dutch tulpe or the French tulipe, which ultimately derives from the Turkish tülbent, meaning turban. Now that we said it, it seems obvious that there is a great resemblance between this flower and a turban, but have you ever thought about it before? The etymology of words, especially flower names, is full of surprises!