The English language is a West-Germanic language which originated in England and has since spread throughout the British Isles and into various regions where Britain held overseas colonies. English is the third most popular world language, as measured by the number of native speakers, which was around 402 million in 2002 . It is also the most popular non-native acquired language in the world, as the cultural, economic, military, political and scientific importance of the United States of America and the United Kingdom for the last two centuries has given English pre-eminent status as a language of international communication. Indo-European Languages Wikipedia©. The Wikipedia article on Indo-European languages provides a concise overview of this major language family, tracing its origins to Proto-Indo-European (PIE) and exploring its historical spread through the Kurgan hypothesis. It outlines key branches, like Germanic and Indo-Iranian, and uses maps to illustrate linguistic relationships. While informative, the technical terms may challenge general readers. Of Plimouth Plantation by William Bradford is a seminal account of the founding and early years of the Plymouth Colony, written by its governor between 1630 and 1651. The manuscript provides a detailed narrative of the Pilgrims’ journey from England to the New World, their struggles for survival, and their interactions with Indigenous peoples. It offers invaluable insights into the religious motivations, communal aspirations, and hardships faced by the settlers. The manuscript itself has an intriguing history, having been lost during the American Revolution and rediscovered in England in the 19th century. Now housed in the Massachusetts State Archives, it is celebrated as a foundational document of American history and literature. by Professor Suzanne Kemmer, Rice University A Fascinating article from Wikipedia©. This is the official site of the state of Massachusetts. It contains the digital version of the original manuscript (Of Plimoth Plantation). Click on the last file (85MB)