The World's Most Beautiful Places
Dance of Death Stained Glass Window – Minster – Bern – Switzerland
A panel from the Dance of Death (Danse Macabre) stained glass window in the Minster (Munster) Cathedral in Bern, Switzerland. The figures on the Münster window were done by Niklaus Manuel between 1516 and 1519, and depicted people from different stations of medieval society succumbing to the Black Death.
A special entrance to the historic Times-Star Building, reserved for paperboys (newsboys). The Times-Star building was built in 1931, and was owned by the Cincinnati-based newspaper of the same name. The newspaper, owned by the Taft family, operated out of the building until 1974.
A straw version of a Despicable Me character the Minion. Part of a homegrown Halloween display in the small, Midwestern town of Seymour, Indiana
The Minions are small, yellow, capsule-shaped creatures that originated in Despicable Me (2010), a film produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures. Created by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, the Minions serve as the mischievous yet loyal henchmen of the supervillain-turned-hero Gru. Their distinctive look, gibberish-like language (Minionese), and slapstick humor quickly made them a cultural phenomenon. The Minions were initially designed as simple, clumsy sidekicks, but their popularity led to a larger role in the sequels, spin-offs, and extensive merchandise. Their backstory was further explored in Minions (2015), revealing that they have existed for millions of years, evolving to serve the most despicable masters throughout history.
Throughout the Despicable Me franchise, the Minions add comedic relief, often getting into chaotic and hilarious situations due to their naivety and eagerness to help. Some Minions, like Kevin, Stuart, and Bob, have been given more distinct personalities, with Kevin often taking a leadership role, Stuart being playful and rebellious, and Bob being childlike and innocent. Their film Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) explores their early relationship with a young Gru, showing how they helped shape his journey into villainy. Beyond the films, the Minions have become a global sensation, appearing in video games, theme park attractions, and countless viral memes, solidifying their status as one of the most recognizable animated characters of all time.