document_title: Gospel

question_text: when were the gospels of the new testament written

text: Gospel

text: Composition of the canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)[edit]

text: Authors, dates and sources[edit]

text: The four canonical gospels, like the rest of the New Testament, were written in Greek,[7] Mark probably c. AD 66–70,[8] Matthew and Luke around AD 85–90,[9] and John AD 90–110.[10] Despite the traditional ascriptions, all four are anonymous, and none were written by eyewitnesses.[11]

text: In the immediate aftermath of Jesus' death his followers expected him to return at any moment, certainly within their own lifetimes, and in consequence there was little motivation to write anything down for future generations, but as eyewitnesses began to die, and as the missionary needs of the church grew, there was an increasing demand and need for written versions of the founder's life and teachings.[12] The stages of this process can be summarised as follows:[13]

text:
Oral traditions — stories and sayings passed on largely as separate self-contained units, not in any order;
Written collections of miracle stories, parables, sayings, etc., with oral tradition continuing alongside these;
Written proto-gospels preceding and serving as sources for the gospels — the dedicatory preface of Luke, for example, testifies to the existence of previous accounts of the life of Jesus.[14]
Gospels formed by combining proto-gospels, written collections and still-current oral tradition.

text: Mark, the first gospel to be written, uses a variety of sources, including conflict stories (Mark 2:1–3:6), apocalyptic discourse (4:1–35), and collections of sayings, although not the sayings gospel known as the Gospel of Thomas and probably not the Q source used by Matthew and Luke.[15] The authors of Matthew and Luke, acting independently, used Mark for their narrative of Jesus's career, supplementing it with the collection of sayings called the Q document and additional material unique to each called the M source (Matthew) and the L source (Luke).[16][Notes 2] Mark, Matthew and Luke are called the synoptic gospels because of the close similarities between them in terms of content, arrangement, and language.[17] The author(s)/editor(s) of John may have known the synoptics, but did not use them in the way that Matthew and Luke used Mark.[18] There is a near-consensus that this gospel had its origins as a "signs" source (or gospel) that circulated within the Johannine community (the community that produced John and the three epistles associated with the name), later expanded with a Passion narrative and a series of discourses.[19][Notes 3]

text: All four also use the Jewish scriptures, by quoting or referencing passages, or by interpreting texts, or by alluding to or echoing biblical themes.[20] Such use can be extensive: Mark's description of the Parousia (second coming) is made up almost entirely of quotations from scripture.[21] Matthew is full of quotations and allusions,[22] and although John uses scripture in a far less explicit manner, its influence is still pervasive.[23] Their source was the Greek version of the scriptures, called the Septuagint - they do not seem familiar with the original Hebrew.[24]

text: Contents[edit]

text: The gospels are memories of the deeds and words of Jesus.[25] The four narratives share a story in which the earthly career of Jesus culminates in his death and resurrection, an event of crucial redemptive significance.[26] The four are inconsistent in detail.[27] John and the three synoptics relate the same basic story-line, but within this overall framework they present completely different pictures of Jesus' career.[28] John has no baptism, no temptation, no transfiguration, and lacks the Lord's Supper and stories of Jesus' ancestry, birth, and childhood.[28] Jesus's career in the synoptics takes up a single year while in John it takes three, with the cleansing of the Temple at the beginning of his ministry while in the synoptics it happens at the end, and in the synoptics the Last Supper takes place as a Passover meal, while in John it happens on the day before Passover.[29]

text: Mark, the first gospel, never calls Jesus "God" or claims that Jesus existed prior to his earthly life, never mentions a virgin birth (the author apparently believes that Jesus had a normal human parentage and birth), and makes no attempt to trace Jesus' ancestry back to King David or Adam.[30] Crucially, Mark originally had no post-resurrection appearances of Jesus,[31] although Mark 16:7, in which the young man discovered in the tomb instructs the women to tell "the disciples and Peter" that Jesus will see them again in Galilee, hints that the author may have known of the tradition.[32]

text: Matthew reinterprets Mark,[33] stressing Jesus' teachings as much as his acts,[34] and making subtle changes to the narrative in order to stress his divine nature – Mark's "young man" who appears at Jesus' tomb, for example, becomes a radiant angel in Matthew.[35] The miracle stories in Mark confirm Jesus' status as an emissary of God (which was Mark's understanding of the Messiah), but in Matthew they demonstrate his divinity.[36] Luke, while following Mark's plot more faithfully than does Matthew, has expanded on the source, corrected Mark's grammar and syntax, and eliminating some passages entirely, notably most of chapters 6 and 7, which he apparently felt reflected poorly on the disciples and painted Jesus too much like a magician.[37]

text: The synoptic gospels represent Jesus as an exorcist and healer who preached in parables about the coming Kingdom of God. He preached first in Galilee and later in Jerusalem, where he cleansed the temple. He states that he offers no sign as proof (Mark) or only the sign of Jonah (Matthew and Luke).[38] In Mark, apparently written with a Roman audience in mind, Jesus is a heroic man of action, given to powerful emotions, including agony.[39] In Matthew, apparently written for a Jewish audience, Jesus is repeatedly called out as the fulfillment of Hebrew prophecy.[39]

text: In Luke, apparently written for gentiles, Jesus is especially concerned with the poor.[39] Luke emphasizes the importance of prayer and the action of the Holy Spirit in Jesus's life and in the Christian community.[40] Jesus appears as a stoic supernatural being, unmoved even by his own crucifixion.[41] Like Matthew, Luke insists that salvation offered by Christ is for all, and not only for the Jews.[40][42] The Gospel of John is the only gospel to call Jesus God, and in contrast to Mark, where Jesus hides his identity as messiah, in John he openly proclaims it.[43] It represents Jesus as an incarnation of the eternal Word (Logos), who spoke no parables, talked extensively about himself, and did not explicitly refer to a Second Coming.[39] Jesus preaches in Jerusalem, launching his ministry with the cleansing of the temple. He performs several miracles as signs, most of them not found in the synoptics. The Gospel of John ends:(21:25) "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."

text: Genre and reliability[edit]

text: The consensus among modern scholars is that the gospels belong to the ancient genre of bios, or biography.[44] Ancient biographies were concerned with providing examples for readers to emulate while preserving and promoting the subject's reputation and memory, and so they included both propaganda and kerygma (preaching) in their works.[45] Mark, for example, is not biography in the modern sense but an apocalyptic history depicting Jesus caught up in events at the end of time.[46] Despite this, scholars are confident that the gospels do provide a good idea of the public career of Jesus, and that critical study can attempt to distinguish the ideas of Jesus from those of later authors and editors.[5]

text: As Luke's attempt to link the birth of Jesus to the census of Quirinius demonstrates, there is no guarantee that the gospels are historically accurate.[4] Matthew and Luke have frequently edited Mark to suit their own ends, and the contradictions and discrepancies between John and the synoptics make it impossible to accept both as reliable.[3]  In addition the gospels we read today have been edited and corrupted over time, leading Origen to complain in the 3rd century that "the differences among manuscripts have become great, ... [because copyists] either neglect to check over what they have transcribed, or, in the process of checking, they make additions or deletions as they please."[47] For these reasons modern scholars are cautious of relying on the gospels uncritically, but nevertheless they do provide a good idea of the public career of Jesus, and critical study can attempt to distinguish the original ideas of Jesus from those of the later authors.[4][5]

text: Canonisation and the non-canonical gospels[edit]

text: Canonisation[edit]

text: The creation of a Christian canon was probably a response to the career of the heretic Marcion (c. 85–160), who established a canon of his own with just one gospel, the gospel of Luke, which he edited to fit his own theology.[48] The Muratorian canon, the earliest surviving list of books considered (by its own author at least) to form Christian scripture, included Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Irenaeus of Lyons went further, stating that there must be four gospels and only four because there were four corners of the Earth and thus the Church should have four pillars.[2][49]

text: Non-canonical gospels[edit]

text: Epiphanius, Jerome and other early church fathers preserve in their writings citations from Jewish-Christian gospels. Most modern critical scholars consider that the extant citations suggest at least two and probably three distinct works, at least one of which (possibly two) closely parallels the Gospel of Matthew.[50]

text: The Gospel of Thomas is mostly wisdom without narrating Jesus's life. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church says that the original may date from c. 150.[51] It may represent a tradition independent from the canonical gospels, but that developed over a long time and was influenced by Matthew and Luke.[51] While it can be understood in Gnostic terms, it lacks the characteristic features of Gnostic doctrine.[51] It includes two unique parables, the parable of the empty jar and the parable of the assassin.[52] It had been lost but was discovered, in a Coptic version dating from c. 350, at Nag Hammadi in 1945–46, and three papyri, dated to c. 200, which contain fragments of a Greek text similar to but not identical with that in the Coptic language, have also been found.[51]

text: The Gospel of Peter was likely written in the first half of the 2nd century.[53][54] It seems to be largely legendary, hostile toward Jews, and including docetic elements.[53] It is a narrative gospel and is notable for asserting that Herod, not Pontius Pilate, ordered the crucifixion of Jesus. It had been lost but was rediscovered in the 19th century.[53]

text: The Gospel of Judas is another controversial and ancient text that purports to tell the story of the gospel from the perspective of Judas, the disciple who is usually said to have betrayed Jesus. It paints an unusual picture of the relationship between Jesus and Judas, in that it appears to interpret Judas's act not as betrayal, but rather as an act of obedience to the instructions of Jesus. The text was recovered from a cave in Egypt by a thief and thereafter sold on the black market until it was finally discovered by a collector who, with the help of academics from Yale and Princeton, was able to verify its authenticity. The document itself does not claim to have been authored by Judas (it is, rather, a gospel about Judas), and is known to date to at least 180 AD.[55]

text: The Gospel of Mary was originally written in Greek during the 2nd century. It is often interpreted as a Gnostic text. It consists mainly of dialog between Mary Magdalene and the other disciples. It is typically not considered a gospel by scholars since it does not focus on the life of Jesus.[56]

text: The Gospel of Barnabas was a gospel which is claimed to be written by Barnabas one of the apostles. It contradicts the ministry of Jesus in cannonical New Testament, but has clear parallels with the Islamic faith, by mentioning Muhammad as Messenger of God. It also strongly deny Pauline doctrine, and Jesus testified himself as a prophet, not the son of God.[57]

text: A genre of "Infancy gospels" (Greek: protoevangelion) arose in the 2nd century, and includes the Gospel of James, which introduces the concept of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas (not to be confused with the absolutely different sayings Gospel of Thomas), both of which related many miraculous incidents from the life of Mary and the childhood of Jesus that are not included in the canonical gospels.

text: Another genre is that of gospel harmonies, in which the four canonical gospels were selectively recast as a single narrative to present a consistent text. Very few fragments of harmonies have survived. The Diatessaron was such a harmonization, compiled by Tatian around 175. It was popular for at least two centuries in Syria, but eventually it fell into disuse.

text: Marcion of Sinope, c. 150, had a much shorter version of the gospel of Luke, differing substantially from what has now become the standard text of the gospel and far less oriented towards the Jewish scriptures. Marcion is said to have rejected all other gospels, including those of Matthew, Mark and especially John, which he allegedly rejected as having been forged by Irenaeus. Marcion's critics alleged that he had edited out the portions he did not like from the then canonical version, though Marcion is said to have argued that his text was the more genuinely original one.


document_title: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (United States)

question_text: generally accepted accounting principles (gaap) are currently formulated by the

question_tokens: generally accepted accounting principles ( gaap ) are currently formulated by the

root

text: History[edit]

text: Auditors took the leading role in developing GAAP for business enterprises.[4]

tag: p

text: Accounting standards have historically been set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) subject to Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.[5] The AICPA first created the Committee on Accounting Procedure in 1939 and replaced that with the Accounting Principles Board in 1959. In 1973, the Accounting Principles Board was replaced by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) under the supervision of the Financial Accounting Foundation with the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council serving to advise and provide input on the accounting standards.[6] Other organizations involved in determining United States accounting standards include the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), formed in 1984; and the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB), formed in 1990.[7]

text: Circa 2008, the FASB issued the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which reorganized the thousands of U.S. GAAP pronouncements into roughly 90 accounting topics.[8]

text: In 2008, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a preliminary "roadmap" that may lead the United States to abandon Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the future, and to join more than 100 countries around the world instead in using the London-based International Financial Reporting Standards.[9] As of 2010, the convergence project was underway with the FASB meeting routinely with the IASB.[10] The SEC expressed their aim to fully adopt International Financial Reporting Standards in the U.S. by 2014.[11]  With the convergence of the U.S. GAAP and the international IFRS accounting systems, as the highest authority over International Financial Reporting Standards, the International Accounting Standards Board is becoming more important in the United States.

text: Basic objectives[edit]

text: Financial reporting should provide information that is:

text:
Useful to present to potential investors and creditors and other users in making rational investment, credit, and other financial decisions
Helpful to present to potential investors and creditors and other users in assessing the amounts, timing, and uncertainty of prospective cash receipts about economic resources, the claims to those resources, and the changes in them
Helpful for making financial decisions
Helpful in making long-term decisions
Helpful in improving the performance of the business
Useful in maintaining records

tag: ul

text: Basic concepts[edit]

text: To achieve basic objectives and implement fundamental qualities GAAP has three basic assumptions, four basic principles, and five basic constraints.

text: Assumptions[edit]

text:
Business Entity: The business is separate from its owners and other businesses. Revenue and expense should be kept separate from personal Expense
Monetary Unit: A stable currency is the unit of record. The FASB accepts the nominal value of the U.S. dollar as the monetary unit of record, unadjusted for inflation.
Periodicity: The economic activities of an enterprise can be divided into artificial time periods.
Going Concern: Continuation of an entity as a going concern is presumed.

text: Principles[edit]

text:
Historical cost principle: Companies must account for and report the acquisition costs of assets and liabilities rather than their fair market value. This principle provides information that is reliable (removing the opportunity to provide subjective and potentially biased market values), but not very relevant. Thus there is a trend toward the use of fair values. Most debts and securities are now reported at market values.
Revenue recognition principle: Companies should record revenue when earned but not when received. The flow of cash does not have any bearing on the recognition of revenue. This is the essence of accrual basis accounting. Conversely, however, losses must be recognized when their occurrence becomes probable, whether or not it has actually occurred. This comports with the constraint of conservatism, yet brings it into conflict with the constraint of consistency, in that reflecting revenues/gains is inconsistent with the way in which losses are reflected.
Matching principle: Expenses have to be matched with revenues as long as it is reasonable to do so. Expenses are recognized not when the work is performed, or when a product is produced, but when the work or the product actually makes its contribution to revenue. Only if no connection with revenue can be established, cost may be charged as expenses to the current period (e.g. office salaries and other administrative expenses). This principle allows greater evaluation of actual profitability and performance (shows how much was spent to earn revenue). Depreciation and Cost of Goods Sold are good examples of application of this principle.
Full disclosure principle: The amount and kinds of information disclosed should be decided based on trade-off analysis as a larger amount of information costs more to prepare and use. Information disclosed should be enough to make a judgment while keeping costs reasonable. Information is presented in the main body of financial statements, in the notes or as supplementary information

text: Constraints[edit]

text:
Objectivity principle: the company financial statements provided by the accountants should be based on objective evidence.
Materiality principle: the significance of an item should be considered when it is reported. An item is considered significant when it would affect the decision of a reasonable individual.
Consistency principle: It means that the company uses the same accounting principles and methods from period to period.
Conservatism principle: when choosing between two solutions, the one which has the less favorable outcome is the solution which should be chosen (see convention of conservatism)
Cost Constraint: The benefits of reporting financial information should justify and be greater than the costs imposed on supplying it.

text: Required departures from GAAP[edit]

text: Under the AICPA's Code of Professional Ethics under Rule 203 – Accounting Principles, a member must depart from GAAP if following it would lead to a material misstatement on the financial statements, or otherwise be misleading.  In the departure, the member must disclose, if practical, the reasons why compliance with the accounting principle would result in a misleading financial statement.  Under Rule 203-1-Departures from Established Accounting Principles, the departures are rare, and usually take place when there is new legislation, the evolution of new forms of business transactions, an unusual degree of materiality, or the existence of conflicting industry practices.[12]

text: Involved in development[edit]

text: These organizations influence the development of GAAP in the United States.

text:
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
The SEC was created as a result of the Great Depression. At that time there was no structure setting accounting standards. The SEC encouraged the establishment of private standard-setting bodies through the AICPA and later the FASB, believing that the private sector had the proper knowledge, resources, and talents. The SEC works closely with various private organizations setting GAAP, but does not set GAAP itself.
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
In 1939, urged by the SEC, the AICPA appointed the Committee on Accounting Procedure (CAP). During the years 1939 to 1959 CAP issued 51 Accounting Research Bulletins that dealt with a variety of timely accounting problems. However, this problem-by-problem approach failed to develop the much needed structured body of accounting principles. Thus, in 1959, the AICPA created the Accounting Principles Board (APB), whose mission it was to develop an overall conceptual framework. It issued 31 opinions and was dissolved in 1973 for lack of productivity and failure to act promptly. After the creation of the FASB, the AICPA established the Accounting Standards Executive Committee (AcSEC). It publishes:
Audit and Accounting Guidelines, which summarizes the accounting practices of specific industries (e.g. casinos, colleges, airlines, etc.) and provides specific guidance on matters not addressed by FASB or GASB.
Statements of Position, which provides guidance on financial reporting topics until the FASB or GASB sets standards on the issue.
Practice Bulletins, which indicate the AcSEC's views on narrow financial reporting issues not considered by the FASB or the GASB.
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
Realizing the need to reform the APB, leaders in the accounting profession appointed a Study Group on the Establishment of Accounting Principles (commonly known as the Wheat Committee for its chair Francis Wheat). This group determined that the APB must be dissolved and a new standard-setting structure is created. This structure is composed of three organizations: the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF, it selects members of the FASB, funds and oversees their activities), the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (FASAC), and the major operating organization in this structure the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). FASB previously had 4 major types of publications:
Statements of Financial Accounting Standards – the most authoritative GAAP setting publications. 168 standard has been issued before the New codification.
Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts – first issued in 1978. They are part of the FASB's conceptual framework project and set forth fundamental objectives and concepts that the FASB use in developing future standards. However, they are not a part of GAAP. There have been  7 concepts published to date.
Interpretations – modify or extend existing standards. There have been around 50 interpretations published to date.
Technical Bulletins or Staff Positions – guidelines on applying standards, interpretations, and opinions. Usually solves some very specific accounting issue that will not have a significant, lasting effect.
In 1984 the FASB created the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) which deals with new and unusual financial transactions that have the potential to become common (e.g. accounting for Internet-based companies). It acts more like a problem filter for the FASB – the EITF deals with short-term, quickly resolvable issues, leaving long-term, more pervasive problems for the FASB.
However, now all GAAP resides in the ASC (Accounting Standards Codification) so the FASB and EITF do not issue new standards but rather updates to the Codification. The Concepts statements still exist outside of the ASC but are not authoritative.
Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)
Created in 1984, the GASB addresses state and local government reporting issues. Its structure is similar to that of the FASB's, and the FASB and GASB are located together and share resources.
Other influential organizations: The Government Finance Officer's Association (GFOA) also influences financial policies for governments (disagreements between the GFOA and GASB are rare, but can continue for many years); American Accounting Association, Institute of Management Accountants, Financial Executives Institute.

text: Precedence of GAAP-setting authorities[edit]

text: In the United States, GAAP derives, in order of importance, from:

text:
issuances from an authoritative body designated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants(AICPA) Council (for example, the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statements, AICPA Accounting Principles Board Opinions, and AICPA Accounting Research Bulletins);
other AICPA issuances such as AICPA Industry Guides;
industry practice; and
into para-accounting literature in the form of books and articles.

tag: ol

text: Codification in Accounting – FASB Accounting Standards Codification[edit]

text: The Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. All existing accounting standards documents are superseded as described in FASB Statement No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. All other accounting literature not included in the Codification is nonauthoritative.

text: The Codification reorganizes the thousands of U.S. GAAP pronouncements into roughly 90 accounting topics and displays all topics using a consistent structure. It also includes relevant Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), guidance that follows the same topical structure in separate sections in the Codification.

text: To prepare users for the change, the AICPA[13] has provided a number of tools and training resources.

text: While the Codification does not change GAAP, it introduces a new structure—one that is organized in an easily accessible, user-friendly online research system. The FASB expects that the new system will reduce the amount of time and effort required to research an accounting issue, mitigate the risk of noncompliance with standards through improved usability of the literature, provide accurate information with real-time updates as new standards are released, and assist the FASB with the research efforts required during the standard-setting process.


document_title: Minister of Railways (India)

question_text: who is appointed as the railway minster of india recently

text: Minister of Railways (India)

text:
Minister of Railways

Emblem of India

Incumbent
Piyush Goyal
since 3 September 2017

Ministry of Railways

Member of
Cabinet of India

Appointer
President
on the advice of the Prime Minister

Inaugural holder
John Mathai

Formation
15 August 1947

tag: table

text: The Minister of Railways is the head of the Ministry of Railways of the Government of India. The railway minister is usually accorded a cabinet rank, and is responsible for Indian Railways, the largest employer in the world. An important responsibility of the railway minister is to present in Parliament the Railway Budget, the Annual Financial Statement of Indian Railways. Piyush Goyal of the Bharatiya Janata Party is the current Minister of Railways, serving since 3 September 2017.Railways Minister (India)

text: List of railway ministers[edit]

text:
№
Name
Portrait
Term of office
Political party
(Alliance)
Prime Minister

-
Asaf Ali

2 September 1946
14 August 1947
Indian National Congress

None
(Interim govt)

1
John Mathai

15 August 1947
22 September 1948
Jawaharlal Nehru

2
N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar

22 September 1948
13 May 1952

3
Lal Bahadur Shastri

13 May 1952
7 December 1956

4
Jagjivan Ram

7 December 1956
10 April 1962

5
Swaran Singh

10 April 1962
21 September 1963

6
H. C. Dasappa

21 September 1963
8 June 1964

7
S. K. Patil

9 June 1964
12 March 1967
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Indira Gandhi

8
C. M. Poonacha

13 March 1967 and
14 February 1969
Indira Gandhi

9
Ram Subhag Singh

14 February 1969
4 November 1969

10
Panampilli Govinda Menon

4 November 1969
18 February 1970

11
Gulzarilal Nanda

18 February 1970
17 March 1971

12
K. Hanumanthaiya

18 March 1971
22 July 1972

13
T. A. Pai

23 July 1972
4 February 1973

14
Lalit Narayan Mishra

5 February 1973
2 January 1975

15
Kamalapati Tripathi

11 February 1975
23 March 1977

16
Madhu Dandavate

26 March 1977
28 July 1979
Janata Party

Morarji Desai

(13)
T. A. Pai

30 July 1979
13 January 1980
Janata Party (Secular)

Charan Singh

17
Kamalapati Tripathi

14 January 1980
12 November 1980
Indian National Congress

Indira Gandhi

18
Kedar Pandey

12 November 1980
14 January 1982

19
Prakash Chandra Sethi

15 January 1982
2 September 1982

20
A. B. A. Ghani Khan Choudhury

2 September 1982
31 December 1984
Indira Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi

21
Bansi Lal

31 December 1984
4 June 1986
Rajiv Gandhi

22
Mohsina Kidwai

24 June 1986
21 October 1986

23
Madhavrao Scindia

22 October 1986
1 December 1989

24
George Fernandes

5 December 1989
10 November 1990
Janata Dal

V. P. Singh

25
Janeshwar Mishra

21 November 1990
21 June 1991
Samajwadi Janata Party

Chandra Shekhar

26
C. K. Jaffer Sharief

21 June 1991
16 October 1995
Indian National Congress

P. V. Narasimha Rao

27
Ram Vilas Paswan

1 June 1996
19 March 1998
Janata Dal
(United Front)

H. D. Deve Gowda
I. K. Gujral

28
Nitish Kumar

19 March 1998
5 August 1999
Samata Party
(NDA)

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

29
Ram Naik

6 August 1999
12 October 1999
Bharatiya Janata Party
(NDA)

30
Mamata Banerjee

13 October 1999
15 March 2001
All India Trinamool Congress
(NDA)

(28)
Nitish Kumar

20 March 2001
22 May 2004
Janata Dal (United)
(NDA)

31
Lalu Prasad Yadav

23 May 2004
25 May 2009
Rashtriya Janata Dal
(UPA)

Manmohan Singh

(30)
Mamata Banerjee

26 May 2009
19 May 2011
All India Trinamool Congress
(UPA)

32
Dinesh Trivedi

12 July 2011
14 March 2012

33
Mukul Roy

20 March 2012
21 September 2012

34
C. P. Joshi

22 September 2012
28 October 2012
Indian National Congress
(UPA)

35
Pawan Kumar Bansal

28 October 2012
10 May 2013

(34)
C. P. Joshi

11 May 2013
16 June 2013

36
Mallikarjun Kharge

17 June 2013
25 May 2014

37
D. V. Sadananda Gowda
-
26 May 2014
9 November 2014
Bharatiya Janata Party
(NDA)

Narendra Modi

38
Suresh Prabhu

10 November 2014
3 September 2017

39
Piyush Goyal

3 September 2017
Incumbent

If the office of Minister of Railways is vacant for any length of time, it automatically comes under the charge of the Prime Minister.


document_title: Touched by an Angel

question_text: who sings the theme song for touched by an angel

text: Touched by an Angel

text: Plot[edit]

text: The episodes of the series generally revolved around the "cases" of Monica (played by Roma Downey), a young angel recently promoted from the "search and rescue" division, who works under the guidance of Tess (played by Della Reese), a sarcastic boss who showed greater respect as an authority figure of her employee, and is more of a surrogate mother, than a mentor. Monica in one episode outlines that she started in the choir then annunciations, followed by search and rescue and then case work. Most cases involve a single person or a group of people who are at a crossroad in their lives and facing a large problem or tough decision. Monica and Tess bring them messages of hope from God and help give them guidance towards making their decision. During their first episode, the pair receive a red 1972 Cadillac Eldorado convertible as a gift; they use it for transportation throughout the rest of the series while in the human world, with Tess doing the driving. As the series progresses, Monica continues gaining experience as a case worker and, during some cases having to learn lessons of her own.

text: During the series pilot, an angel of death named Adam is introduced. In the season two premiere, "Interview with an Angel", the Angel of Death is introduced as Henry. In the season two episode entitled, "The One That Got Away" Andrew (played by John Dye) is introduced as the Angel of Death. (Initially a recurring character, he becomes a main character in season three, making him the permanent Angel of Death for the remainder of the series.)

text: During season seven, a new angel, Gloria, is sent by God during one of Monica's assignments, who becomes a regular character for seasons eight and nine, as a trainee under Monica and Tess's guidance. In the series finale, Monica is up for promotion to supervisor, pending the outcome of a difficult case in which she must defend Zack (Scott Bairstow), an innocent drifter accused of causing a boiler explosion at a school two years ago in the small town of Ascension, Colorado. The explosion killed most of the children, leaving the citizens devastated. During the case, Monica sees many familiar faces, including Joey Machulis (Paul Wittenburg), one of Monica's previous assignments who is a witness to the events, his brother Wayne (Randy Travis), who is now sheriff, Sophie (Marion Ross), a formerly homeless acquaintance, and Mike (Patrick Duffy), a lawyer Monica saved during her search and rescue days who is now the Mayor. An out of town developer claims Zack is the perpetrator and despite the lack of evidence, Zack is put on trial. Monica does all she can to help him, including asking Mike to represent him, but the prosecutor in the case, Jones, is really Satan in disguise, and Zack is eventually convicted.

text: After the trial, Monica is able to help the citizens realize their mistake and to see that Zack's return to the town had helped them finally start living again. They begin going back to church, welcomed by the pastor they had once abandoned. Their change of heart, however, cannot free Zack, so Monica visits him in jail and reveals that she is an angel. She then promises him that she will become his guardian angel, forgoing all future assignments and the coveted promotion, to protect him from harm in prison. When she returns in the morning, however, the cell is empty. The citizens decide not to search for him, and it is revealed that Joey inadvertently caused the explosion after the devil tricked him into turning the boiler too high to warm some kittens he'd found.

text: The perplexed Monica returns to the desert to find Tess and Zack. There, she learns that Zack was actually Jesus, and that her defending him was a test, which she passed by being willing to sacrifice herself for him. Monica is promoted to supervisor. As she leaves, she says her goodbyes to Gloria, and to Andrew, who gives her a pocket watch to remember their friendship by. Before parting, Tess gives Monica the keys to the Cadillac, as she is leaving her job to sit at God's feet. Monica is last shown driving away as the camera pans out over the desert.

text: Episodes[edit]

text:
Season
Episodes
Originally aired

First aired
Last aired

1
11
September 21, 1994 (1994-09-21)
March 4, 1995 (1995-03-04)

2
24
September 23, 1995 (1995-09-23)
May 18, 1996 (1996-05-18)

3
28
September 15, 1996 (1996-09-15)
May 18, 1997 (1997-05-18)

4
26
September 21, 1997 (1997-09-21)
May 17, 1998 (1998-05-17)

5
26
September 20, 1998 (1998-09-20)
May 23, 1999 (1999-05-23)

6
26
September 26, 1999 (1999-09-26)
May 21, 2000 (2000-05-21)

7
25
October 15, 2000 (2000-10-15)
May 20, 2001 (2001-05-20)

8
22
September 29, 2001 (2001-09-29)
May 11, 2002 (2002-05-11)

9
22
September 28, 2002 (2002-09-28)
April 27, 2003 (2003-04-27)

text: Cast and characters[edit]

text: Main[edit]

text:
Roma Downey as Monica, a soft kind-hearted angel who is sent town-to-town to encourage people. She's the show's main protagonist.
Della Reese as Tess, a tough and sarcastic, but loving supervisor who plays a key role in every one of Monica's cases. She's also the show's main protagonist.
John Dye as Andrew (1996–2003), known as "an angel of death".
Valerie Bertinelli as Gloria (2001–2003; guest stars in two season seven episodes), an accident prone intelligent angel made to understand the way of life in the 21st century.

text: Recurring[edit]

text:
Alexis Cruz as Rafael, an angel
Paul Winfield as Sam, an archangel
Charles Rocket as Adam, an angel of death
Randy Travis as Wayne Machulis
Wendy Phillips as Claire Green, also as Ruth Ann Russell (in one episode)
Gerald McRaney as Russell Greene, also as Dr. Joe Patcherik (in one episode)
Eddie Karr as Nathaniel Greene
Paul Wittenburg as Joey Machulis
Cloris Leachman as Ruth, an archangel
Ossie Davis as Erasmus Jones and as Gabriel
Jasmine Guy as Kathleen

text: Notable guest stars[edit]

text:
Bruce Altman as Henry, another angel of death
Chris Burke as Taylor, an angel
Bill Cosby as Phil, the Angel of Reconciliation
Barbara Mandrell
David Ogden Stiers as Jones / Satan (in the two-part series finale)
Phylicia Rashad as Elizabeth Jessup
Muhammad Ali as himself (season 5, episode 24)
Maya Angelou as Clarice Mitchell (season 2, episode 7)
Ruby Dee as LaBelle (season 6, episode 10)
Celine Dion as herself (season 5, episode 9)
Marla Gibbs as Millie (season 7, episode 3)
Melissa Joan Hart as Claire Latham (season 2, episode 5)
Wynonna Judd as Audrey (season 5, episode 10)
Joe Morton as Jake Stone and Martin
Cynthia Nixon as Melina (season 5, episode 20)
Rosa Parks as herself (season 5, episode 23)
Mandy Patinkin as Satan (season 7, episode 23)
Sally Ride as herself (season 5, episode 26)
John Schneider as Joshua Winslow / Satan
Mary McDonnell as Sister Theodore (season 8, episode 18)
Luther Vandross as Reggie (season 8, episode 21)
Montel Williams as Brother David (season 5, episode 20)
Richard Chamberlain as Jack Clay/Everett Clay (season 7, episode 1)
B.B. King as himself (season 2, episode 15)
Dr. John as himself (season 2, episode 15)
Al Hirt as himself (season 2, episode 15)
Ann-Margret as Angela (episode "Millennium")

text: Production[edit]

text: Touched by an Angel was produced by CBS and Moon Water Productions.[2] Most episodes of the series were produced in Salt Lake City, Utah. According to New York Times reviewer Caryn James, John Masius created the first pilot episode for the series, but it was a darker, less hopeful story than the producers wanted.[3] [4] It cost the studio $2 million to produce the episode. Masius wrote the show as a reflection of his spiritual anger at the time at his two children being born disabled.[5] Martha Williamson was approached to be the series executive producer in early 1994. She described the pilot she received as "upsetting" as it "portrayed angels as recycled dead people with power over life and death". She initially declined the position, but during a lunch with Andy Hill, then President of CBS, she mentioned the show and suggested he find a producer who would create a show with "loving, joyful" angels that the audience would have to believe in.[6]

text: Williamson stated that she could not stop thinking about the show after that meeting, and eventually called to ask if the position was still open. Though getting the position was no longer a sure thing, she passed up a more lucrative position directing a court drama and went in for an interview with CBS in June 1994. During her interview, she states she emphasized that she was a Christian and could only do a show that depicted angels in a way she felt was true to her view of angels and that was respectful towards God. She also indicated that the pilot should be redone from the beginning, keeping only the characters Monica and Tess, reworked. The studio agreed with her remarks and hired her.[6] Williamson herself wrote a new script for the pilot episode, while also working on hiring the remaining staff for the series, which was due to premiere in September. The pilot was filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah and the show was ready on schedule. The first episode aired on September 14, 1994.[6]

text: Theme song[edit]

text: The lyrics to the show's theme song, "Walk With You", are sung at the beginning of each episode by Della Reese.

text: Spin-off[edit]

text: In 1996, Promised Land was launched as a spin-off series, following the Greene family whom Monica had met during one of her cases, as they travel the United States helping those in need. Four crossover episodes aired during Promised Land's three-season run.

text: Reception[edit]

text: Awards[edit]

text: The series was nominated for eleven Primetime Emmy Awards between 1997 and 2000, including two nominations each for Downey and Reese in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series categories, respectively.[7][8] It was also nominated for three Golden Globe Awards, two in 1998 and 1999 for Downey for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series - Drama, and one in 1998 for Reese for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series [9][10] even though the series was never able to secure either award. Marc Lichtman was awarded five BMI Film and Television Awards for "Television Music" in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 for his work as the series composer.[11][12][13][14][15]

text: Email controversy[edit]

text: A 1999 variation of the "Madalyn Murray O'Hair petition" urban legend, which claims to seek a ban on religious programming, mentioned the show and appeared via e-mail chains. This, despite O'Hair being deceased since 1995 and her original actual religious programming petition to the FCC being rejected in 1975.[16]

text: Critical[edit]

text: Touched by an Angel received mixed reviews from critics but positive reception from audiences. During the show's first season, the show was criticized by some people calling the show "syrupy"[17][18][19] (earlier reviews were skeptical of the show's first season). [20] Common Sense Media reviewer Emily Ashby gave the show 3 out of 5 stars, who said that "this uplifting, inspirational show is steeped in strong moral messages, life lessons, and Christian overtones that include multiple references to "God," "Lord," and the "Father."[21]

text: The Parents Television Council picked it as one of the best shows for family viewing.[22]

text: In popular culture[edit]

text: Maria Bamford imitated Monica on the track "Touched By an Angel" on her Burning Tours album.[23]

text: It was also spoofed on MadTV as "Touched By an Atheist" guest starring comedian George Carlin.[24]

text: Ratings[edit]

text: Touched by an Angel became one of CBS's highest-rated series during season three and continued through season six, when it was the ninth most watched network series, with 17,190,000 viewers that amounted to a 15% share of the market as determined by Nielsen Media Research.[25] In season eight, after the series moved from its Sunday time slot to a Saturday one, it dropped to 79th place, with 8.3 million viewers.[26]

text:
Season
Episodes
Time slot (ET)
Season premiere
Season finale
Season
rank
Viewers
(in millions)

1
1994–1995
11
Wednesday at 9:00 pm (Episodes 1-8)
Sunday at 8:00 pm (Episode 9)
Saturday at 9:00 pm (Episodes 10-11)
September 21, 1994
March 4, 1995
#78
8.90

2
1995–1996
26
Saturday at 9:00 pm
September 23, 1995
May 18, 1996
#34
11.10

3
1996–1997
29
Sunday at 8:00 pm
September 15, 1996
May 18, 1997
#10
13.19[27]

4
1997–1998
26
Sunday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 1-25)
Sunday at 9:00 pm (Episode 26)
September 21, 1997
May 17, 1998
#5
21.80[28]

5
1998–1999
27
Sunday at 8:00 pm
September 20, 1998
May 23, 1999
#6
19.50 [29]

6
1999–2000
26
September 26, 1999
May 21, 2000
#9
17.19[30]

7
2000–2001
25
October 15, 2000
May 20, 2001
#25
14.00[31]

8
2001–2002
22
Saturday at 8:00 pm
September 29, 2001
May 11, 2002
#79
8.30[32]

9
2002–2003
22
Saturday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 1-21)
Sunday at 8:00 pm (Episode 22)
September 28, 2002
April 27, 2003
#91
7.60[33]

text: Media[edit]

text: A book on the series, Touched by an Angel, was published by Zondervan in November 1997. Written by Williams and Robin Sheets, it contains background information on some of the stories featured, series production information, basic details on the first fifty episodes and profiles of Downey, Reese and Dye. It also has short story versions of four episodes: "Interview with an Angel", "There, but for the Grace of God", "An Unexpected Snow" and "Jacob's Ladder".[34] A second book, In the Words of Angels: Twenty Inspiring Stories from Touched By an Angel, was published by Fireside Books on August 28, 2001. Also written by Williams, it collects twenty short stories based on episodes from the series.[35]

text: An audio soundtrack, Touched by an Angel: The Album, was released on November 3, 1998. The 15-track CD includes a full-length version of the series theme song, "Walk With You", performed by Della Reese and songs by Céline Dion, Shawn Colvin, Bob Dylan, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Amy Grant, Jaci Velasquez, The Kinleys, Wynonna and Amanda Marshall.[36] The soundtrack went platinum.[citation needed] A second album, Touched by an Angel: Christmas Album, was released on November 9, 1999 with 13 tracks of Christmas music. In addition to having tracks performed by Reese and Romey, it features songs from Randy Travis, Keb' Mo', Charlotte Church, Kirk Franklin, Collin Raye, Amy Grant and Donna Summer.[37] Both albums were released by Sony Music Entertainment, the successor to the former record division of CBS.

text: DVD releases[edit]

text: CBS DVD (distributed by Paramount) has released all nine seasons on DVD in Region 1. Seasons 1, 2, 5-9 were released as single season box sets, while seasons 3 & 4 were released as two volume sets.

text: On February 9, 2016, CBS DVD released Touched by an Angel: The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1.[38]

text: Four themed sets, each containing four episodes, have also been released. The first two, "The Inspiration Collection: Holiday" and "The Inspiration Collection: Hope" were released on November 10, 2009;[39] "The Inspiration Collection: Faith" and "The Inspiration Collection: Love" were released January 26, 2010.[40]

text: In Region 4, Shock Records has released five volumes of episodes from the series, each containing nine episodes and a set containing all five volumes together.[41]

text:
DVD name
Ep #
Release date

The Complete First Season
13
August 31, 2004

The Second Season
22
May 3, 2005

The Third Season, Volume 1
16
February 7, 2006

The Third Season, Volume 2
13
November 28, 2006

The Fourth Season, Volume 1
13
March 27, 2007

The Fourth Season, Volume 2
14
December 4, 2007

The Fifth Season
26
July 24, 2012

The Sixth Season
26
September 25, 2012

The Seventh Season
25
April 23, 2013

The Eighth Season
22
July 30, 2013

The Ninth Season
22
November 19, 2013

The Complete Series
211
February 9, 2016


document_title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

question_text: who plays albus potter in the cursed child

text: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

text: Plot[edit]

text: Act 1[edit]

text: In the opening scene, set during the epilogue of Deathly Hallows in the year 2017, Harry Potter and Ginny Potter send their second son, Albus Severus Potter, on the Hogwarts Express to begin his first year at Hogwarts. Harry is now working in a desk job as the Head of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic, while Ginny is the editor of the sports section of The Daily Prophet. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger also send their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley on the train. Hermione is now Minister of Magic, while Ron manages Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley. Albus makes an unlikely friendship in Scorpius Malfoy, the son of Harry's former nemesis Draco Malfoy and Astoria Malfoy (née  Greengrass). The school is stunned when, in a break with the tradition of Potters being sorted into Gryffindor, Albus is sorted into Slytherin alongside Scorpius.

text: Both boys are bullied by other students over the next few years, Albus due to his perceived failure to live up to his parents, Scorpius due to unproven rumours that he is the son of Lord Voldemort. In addition, Albus and Harry begin to drift apart, owing to Albus's struggles with his father's shadow and Harry's uncertainty on how to deal with his son's issues. Albus also drifts apart from Rose, with whom he was friends before meeting Scorpius and was sorted into Gryffindor. Prior to Albus and Scorpius's fourth year, Albus gets into a fight with his father after he is given Harry's baby blanket and a love potion from Ron. During the fight, Harry accidentally says that he sometimes wishes Albus was not his son, and Albus spills the potion on the blanket.

text: Harry obtains a prototype of a more powerful version of the Time-Turner, built by a Slytherin contemporary of Harry's, Theodore Nott, that allows one to travel back several years into the past and change history. Simultaneously, Harry's scar begins to hurt again, causing him to become concerned that Voldemort may somehow be returning. Amos Diggory, who has become old and is cared for by his niece, Delphi Diggory, asks Harry to use the Time-Turner to prevent the death of his son, Cedric Diggory. After overhearing Harry refuse to help the Diggorys, Albus is inspired to do so himself and convinces Scorpius to help him. The two escape from the Hogwarts Express and the trolley operator, who is revealed to be a monster placed on the train to prevent students from escaping. The two arrive at St. Oswald's Home for Old Witches and Wizards in Yorkshire, where Amos lives, and team up with Delphi to steal the Time-Turner from Hermione's office, in the Ministry of Magic, while disguised with Polyjuice Potion.

text: Act 2[edit]

text: Knowing that Cedric's death was the result of him winning the Triwizard Tournament alongside Harry, the boys use the Time-Turner to travel back to the first challenge of the Triwizard Tournament in 1994 and sabotage Cedric during the tournament's first task in the hope of preventing his victory. Instead, they only succeed in creating an alternate reality in which Ron and Hermione never married, and thus Rose was never born, and Albus was sorted into Gryffindor. Albus discovers that this was because they chose to disguise themselves as Durmstrang students, causing Hermione to become suspicious of Viktor Krum and go to the Yule Ball with Ron instead of Viktor. As a result, Ron never experienced the jealousy fundamental to his relationship with Hermione, fell in love with Padma Patil at the Ball, and eventually became married to her, having a son named Panju. Hermione, in turn, became a frustrated and mean professor at Hogwarts, teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.

text: At around the same time, Harry's fear increases that Voldemort may return as his scar continues to hurt and as he has Voldemort-related nightmares. After speaking with a portrait of Dumbledore, and being told by centaur Bane that a "dark cloud" is around Albus, he becomes convinced that Scorpius is a threat to Albus and tries to have the boys kept apart at Hogwarts by forcing a reluctant Minerva McGonagall, now Headmistress of Hogwarts, to keep tabs on Albus using the Marauder's Map, threatening to shut down the school otherwise.

text: Albus and Scorpius's friendship is destroyed, but the two eventually reconcile after Albus steals Harry's old Invisibility Cloak from James Sirius (Albus’ older brother), and after McGonagall refuses to enforce Harry's request. Harry himself is persuaded to relent after a conversation with Draco and Ginny. Meanwhile, Albus and Scorpius decide to make another attempt to use the Time-Turner to change Cedric's fate, this time by humiliating him during the Triwizard Tournament's second task. When Scorpius returns to the present day, however, Albus is not with him, and Scorpius finds himself in a reality in which Harry is dead, and Lord Voldemort rules the wizarding world.

text: Act 3[edit]

text: Scorpius discovers that – as a result of his actions – an embittered Cedric joined the Death Eaters and killed Neville Longbottom during the events of Deathly Hallows, preventing him from killing Nagini and allowing Voldemort to win the Battle of Hogwarts. With Harry now dead, Albus subsequently never existed, while Voldemort was able to completely consolidate power and transform the Ministry of Magic into a dictatorial regime. In the new timeline, Scorpius became a popular Head Boy and Quidditch star, helping the staff and students torment Muggle-borns. Dolores Umbridge became the new Headmistress of Hogwarts, and patrols the school with Dementors and a revived Inquisitorial Squad led by Scorpius. Draco Malfoy occupies Harry's old position as the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, using his post to encourage routine attacks on Muggles and bribe the Prime Minister to remain silent on the actions of the Death Eaters.

text: A powerful dark figure called "The Augurey" leads the Ministry of Magic. With help from Ron, Hermione, and Severus Snape, now the final members of a dwindling anti-Voldemort resistance movement, Scorpius is able to use the Time-Turner to prevent the interference of Albus and his past self and restore the events of the original timeline, the alternate Ron, Hermione, and Snape sacrificing themselves to the Dementors in order to allow him to do so. Scorpius reunites with Albus, and the two boys are eventually found by their parents, as well as Ron and Hermione. Following these events, Harry scolds Albus for his actions, but the two nevertheless begin to reconcile.

text: Realising the danger the Time-Turner poses and deciding their parents will continue to keep it (as Hermonie had done in the Ministry of Magic), Scorpius and Albus attempt to destroy it themselves, but they are joined by Delphi Diggory. Scorpius realizes that Delphi was in charge of the Ministry of Magic in the alternate timeline (from her tattoo of the wings of a magical bird, which she says is called an Augurey), and she takes them captive, later revealing her intention of restoring the alternate timeline.

text: After the adults learn Albus and Scorpius were seen disappearing with Delphi, they confront Amos, only to discover Delphi is not his niece, but the daughter of Lord Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange. Delphi had placed Amos under a "confundus" charm.  Searching her room, they discover she is following a prophecy that, if fulfilled, would lead to Lord Voldemort's return. Delphi takes the boys to the final challenge of the Triwizard Tournament, but Albus and Scorpius prevent her from acting, and Delphi uses the Time-Turner again to travel further back in time. She inadvertently takes the boys with her and then destroys the Time-Turner to leave them all stranded in time.

text: Act 4[edit]

text: Abandoned by Delphi, Albus and Scorpius discover they have been taken back to the night before Harry's parents were killed at Godric's Hollow (30 October 1981), and assume Delphi is planning to kill Harry before Voldemort attempts to do so (which severely weakens Voldemort). Albus and Scorpius write an invisible message on Harry's baby blanket, knowing in the present (which is now also the night of the anniversary of the death of Harry's parents, when he often looks for his blanket as it is the only physical memento he has), the blanket would become stained with love potion and expose the message to Harry.

text: Meanwhile, Draco reveals the Time-Turner was actually a prototype for a perfected model owned by him (it was made for his father), but they remain unable to rescue the boys due to their uncertainty over which time period they have entered. After Harry receives the message from the boys, he and his allies use Draco's Time-Turner to travel back in time to save them and stop Delphi. While waiting for Delphi, they deduce she intends to convince Voldemort to abandon his doomed attempt to kill Harry, ensuring her father's survival and allowing her to be with him.

text: Harry disguises himself as Voldemort using Transfiguration to distract Delphi, and after a struggle, the group manages to subdue her. Rather than killing Delphi, it is decided that she will be brought to Azkaban Prison. Lord Voldemort then appears and is oblivious to the presence of Harry and the group. The group allows the murder of Harry's parents to play out again, unwilling to risk the consequences of altering the past.

text: They all stand with Harry to watch the sad event replay. After returning to the present day, Delphi is sent to Azkaban. Albus and Scorpius now decide to be more active at Hogwarts, with Scorpius expressing interest in trying out for Quidditch and asking Rose on a date. Harry and Albus visit Cedric's grave, with Harry apologizing for his role in Cedric's death. Albus has also witnessed the death of a fellow student, Craig Bowker Jr. (the only current timeline murder in the play), who tried to intervene when Delphi held Albus and Scorpius captive on the Quidditch pitch.

text: Background[edit]

text: In December 2013, it was revealed that a stage play based on Harry Potter had been in development for around a year,[3] with the view to bringing it to the stage sometime in 2016.[4] At the time of the announcement, Rowling revealed that the play would "explore the previously untold story of Harry's early years as an orphan and outcast".[5] The following May, Rowling began establishing the creative team for the project.[6]

text: On 26 June 2015, the project was officially confirmed under the title of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,[7] and it was revealed it would receive its world premiere in mid-2016 at London's Palace Theatre.[8] The announcement marked the eighteenth anniversary of the publication of the first Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,[9] published on 26 June 1997.[10]

text: On announcing plans for the project, Rowling stated that the play would not be a prequel.[11] In response to queries regarding the choice of a play rather than a new novel, Rowling has stated that she "is confident that when audiences see the play they will agree that it is the only proper medium for the story".[12] Rowling has also assured audiences that the play will contain an entirely new story and will not be a rehashing of previously explored content.[13] On 24 September 2015, Rowling announced that the play had been split into two parts.[14] The parts are designed to be viewed on the same day or consecutively over two evenings.[15][16]

text: On 23 October 2015, it was confirmed the plays were set nineteen years after the conclusion of the final novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,[17] and would open at London's Palace Theatre in July 2016.[18] The plays principally follow Harry, now Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and his younger son Albus Severus Potter.[19] As of 22 July 2016, little more had been revealed about the plot even by those who had attended the previews since 7 June.[20]

text: #KeepTheSecrets[edit]

text: The producers and Rowling have maintained a campaign called #KeepTheSecrets to ask people who have seen the play not to reveal its major twists.  The slogan is printed on the tickets for the play and badges with the slogan are handed out for free during intervals. People buying their tickets online are emailed a video after the play from J.K. Rowling asking them to support the campaign.[21]

text: Productions[edit]

text:
Production
Venue/Location
Opening Night
Closing Night
Notes

 London, England
Palace Theatre
July 30, 2016
Currently running
Debut production.

 Broadway
Lyric Theatre
April 16, 2018
Currently running
First production outside of the UK.

 Melbourne
Princess Theatre
January 16, 2019
TBC

 San Francisco
Curran Theatre
Fall 2019
TBC

 Hamburg
Mehr! Theater
Early 2020
TBC
First non-English language production.

text: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a two-part play, was written by British playwright Jack Thorne based on an original story by Thorne, John Tiffany and Rowling. Some websites were listing all three as authors of the script[22] but by 26 July 2016, the official web site for the play[23] and many others (including the BBC)[24] were listing Thorne as the sole script writer.

text: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is directed by John Tiffany[25][26] with choreography by Steven Hoggett,[27] set design by Christine Jones,[28] costume design by Katrina Lindsay,[29] lighting design by Neil Austin,[30] music by Imogen Heap,[31] and sound design by Gareth Fry.[32] In addition, special effects were created by Jeremy Chernick,[33] with illusions by Jamie Harrison, and musical supervision by Martin Lowe.[34]

text: West End[edit]

text: Previews at the West End Palace Theatre, London began on 7 June 2016,[2] with the official opening night for both parts on 30 July,[35] and originally booking until 18 September 2016.[36] Tickets went on sale to pre-registered priority bookers on 28 October 2015, with a public sale scheduled to commence on 30 October.[37] In just under 8 hours of priority booking 175,000 tickets were sold for the world premiere production,[38] with the play's booking period extended to January 2017.[39] On commencement of the public sale booking was extended until 30 April 2017,[40] with a further extension issued the same day to 27 May 2017.[41]

text: Tickets for the opening performance were priced from £30 up to £130 for a ticket for both parts,[42] although ticket resale agencies were selling seats for up to £3,000.[38] Ticket resale has been banned by the producers, with tickets no longer valid if sold on.[43] In mid-July 2016, the theatre began holding a ticket lottery at 1 pm each Friday, releasing 40 for sale on their website for “some of the best seats” in the theatre for the lowest price, advertised at £20 per part. For example, the "Friday Forty" tickets sold on 29 July 2016 were for performances on 3, 5, 6, and 7 August.[44]

text: On 20 December 2015, initial casting was announced with Jamie Parker playing Harry Potter, Noma Dumezweni playing Hermione Granger and Paul Thornley playing Ron Weasley.[45][46][47] The casting of the dark-skinned Noma Dumezweni as Hermione sparked fervent discussion, to which Rowling responded that Hermione's skin was never specified as white.[48][49] Further notable casting includes Poppy Miller as Ginny Potter, Alex Price as Draco Malfoy, Sam Clemmett as Albus Severus Potter and Anthony Boyle as Scorpius Malfoy.[50] The production features an overall cast of 42.[51][52]

text: Broadway[edit]

text: The production began previews on 16 March 2018, officially opening on 22 April at the Lyric Theatre. Clemmett, Boyle, Dumezweni, Miller, Parker, Price and Thornley reprised their roles, from the West End.[53][54] The theatre removed 400 seats from the auditorium and moved the entrance to 43rd Street[55]. The production is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Sir Colin Callender, and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions. Tickets initially went on sale through Ticketmaster Verified Fan on 18 October 2017, for performances from 16 March through 18 November 2018.[56]  The New York Times estimates that it is the most expensive non-musical Broadway play ever, incurring $68 million in opening costs.[57]

text: Melbourne[edit]

text: On 24 October 2017, the Michael Cassel Group announced that it will be producing the Australian premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The production will begin performances early 2019 in Melbourne's Princess Theatre.[58] Sale of tickets to the general public is scheduled to commence 6 August 2018.[59]

text: Cast and principal roles[edit]

text:
Character

Original West End Cast[60](2016–2017)

Original Broadway Cast[61](2018)

Harry Potter

Jamie Parker

Ron Weasley

Paul Thornley

Hermione Granger

Noma Dumezweni

Ginny Potter

Poppy Miller

Draco Malfoy

Alex Price

Albus Severus Potter

Sam Clemmett

Scorpius Malfoy

Anthony Boyle

Rose Granger-Weasley

Cherrelle Skeete

Susan Heyward

Young Hermione

Delphi Diggory

Esther Smith

Jessie Fisher

Craig Bowker Jr.

Jeremy Ang Jones

Joshua DeJesus

Moaning Myrtle

Annabel Baldwin

Lauren Nicole Cipoletti

Lily Potter Sr.

Polly Chapman

Claudia Grant

Madeline Weinstein

Vernon Dursley

Paul Bentall

Byron Jennings

Severus Snape

Lord Voldemort

Rubeus Hagrid

Chris Jarman

Brian Abraham

Sorting Hat

Yann Fredericks

James Le Lacheur

Jess Barbagallo

Petunia Dursley

Helena Lymbery

Kathryn Meisle

Madam Hooch

Dolores Umbridge

Amos Diggory

Barry McCarthy

Edward James Hyland

Albus Dumbledore

Trolley Witch

Sandy McDade

Geraldine Hughes

Minerva McGonagall

Cedric Diggory

Tom Milligan

Benjamin Wheelwright

James Sirius Potter

James Potter Sr.

Dudley Dursley

Jack North

Joey LaBrasca

Karl Jenkins

Viktor Krum

Bane

Nuno Silva

David St. Louis

Young Harry Potter

Rudi GoodmanAlfred JonesBili KeoghEwan RutherfordNathaniel SmithDylan Standen

Will CoombsLandon Maas

Lily Luna Potter

Zoe BroughCristina FrayChristiana Hutchings

Olivia BondBrooklyn Shuck

text: West End cast replacements[edit]

text: This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

text: In May 2017, Jamie Glover took over from Jamie Parker as Harry Potter, while Emma Lowndes will play his wife Ginny Potter. Thomas Aldridge is to play Ron Weasley, replacing Paul Thornley, while Rakie Ayola will play Hermione Granger, replacing Noma Dumezweni. Annabel Baldwin, previously playing Moaning Myrtle will take over from Esther Smith as Delphi.

text: Original cast members Helen Aluko and James Howard play Rose Granger-Weasley and Draco Malfoy respectively. Samuel Blenkin and Theo Ancient made their professional debut, playing Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter, respectively.

text: The lead cast are joined by new cast members David Annen, Ruthxjiah Bellenea, Danny Dalton, Leah Haile, Rupert Henderson, Elizabeth Hill, April Hughes, James McGregor, Sarah Miele, Jordan Paris, James Phoon, Henry Rundle, Ged Simmons, Mark Theodore, Gideon Turner and Ed White.

text: Original cast members who will continue include Nicola Alexis, Rosemary Annabella, Phoebe Austen, Annabel Baldwin, Jabez Cheeseman, Morag Cross, Esme Grace, Lowri James, Martin Johnston, Alfred Jones, Barry McCarthy, Sandy McDade, Tom Mackley, Harrison Noble, Ben Roberts, Nuno Silva, Hope Sizer and Joshua Wyatt.

text: The second cast took over on 24 May 2017, with the original cast having their final performance on 21 May 2017.[62]

text: The third cast took over on 23 May 2018.

text: Script publication[edit]

text: Editions[edit]

text:
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Special Rehearsal Edition coverAuthor
Jack Thorne (script)J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne (story)Country
United KingdomLanguage
EnglishSeries
Harry PotterGenre
Fantasy, DramaPublished
31 July 2016 (Special Rehearsal Edition)25 July 2017 (Definitive Collector's Edition)Publisher
Little, Brown and Company (UK)Scholastic (US)Pottermore (digital)Publication date
31 July 2016Pages
328 (Special Rehearsal Edition)321 (Definitive Collector's Edition)ISBN
978-1-338-09913-3 (US); 978-0-7515-6535-5 (UK)

text: Both parts of the stage play's script have been released in print and digital formats as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II.[63][64]

text: The first edition, entitled "Special Rehearsal Edition", corresponded to the script used in the preview shows and was scheduled to be published on 31 July 2016,[65] the date of Harry's birthday in the series and Rowling's birthday, as well.[66] Since revisions to the script continued after the book was printed, an edited version was released on 25 July 2017, as the "Definitive Collector's Edition".[67] According to CNN, this was the most preordered book of 2016.[68]

text: Sales[edit]

text: In the United States and Canada, the book sold over 2 million copies in its first two days of release.[69] 847,885 copies were sold during the book's first week of release in the United Kingdom. By June 2017, the book had sold over 4.5 million copies in the United States.[70]

text: Critical reception[edit]

text: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has received critical acclaim. Audiences and critics have complimented the casting and performances, while many debate the quality of the piece and how it compares to entries in the main Harry Potter series.

text: Publications awarding five star ratings included The Independent, the London Evening Standard, The Stage and WhatsOnStage.com.[71][72][73][74] The Telegraph also gave five, although "there are some quibbles," while The Guardian's Michael Billington awarded four stars.[75][76]

text: Anthony Boyle's performance as Scorpius Malfoy garnered particular acclaim. WhatsOnStage.com wrote that "Boyle gives a career-making performance," while The Wall Street Journal described him as "the break-out performance".[74][77] Variety's critic, Matt Trueman, agreed, writing, "it's Boyle who really stands out", and both Trueman and Henry Hitchings, in the Evening Standard, noted that his performance was sure to be a fan favourite.[72][78]

text: Response within the Harry Potter fandom[edit]

text: The response to the play from the Harry Potter fandom was mixed. Some fans said the story seemed "like a work of fan fiction" and claimed that it diverged from previously established rules of the universe, criticising the script's characterisation.[79][80][81] Some also took issue with the style and plot of the script, complaining that the Time-Turner storylines had already been used, as had Cedric Diggory's death, and that the writers were rehashing old storylines.[82][83] These criticisms have led to some of the fandom to reject the play as separate from the Potter canon.[84] Some potential “plot holes” in the story have been highlighted, such as the likelihood of Lord Voldemort's infertility, the speed at which Polyjuice Potion is created, the unexplained non-operation of the Fidelius Charm,[85][86] and Cedric Diggory's dramatic turn to becoming a Death Eater.[87][88]

text: However, some fans responded positively to the play and its characters, with Scorpius Malfoy being particularly popular.[89] Some fans commented that the dialogue between the familiar characters was "spot on",[90] celebrating it as a faithful continuation of the books.[91][92] Others have noted that the play sheds light on some of the relationships between the characters, such as Harry and Dumbledore's.[93] The response had been particularly positive among fans who watched the play on stage.[94]

text: Identity of the "Cursed Child"[edit]

text: The play never explicitly states who the "Cursed Child" is. There are several possible answers, including Delphi, who is cursed by her parentage; Harry himself, whose difficult childhood is the subject of several flashbacks in the play and who must accept and relive the death of his parents to conquer Lord Voldemort; Albus, who at one stage Harry says he wished "was not his son" and can do no right in this father's eyes being "cursed" by the Potter reputation; Scorpius, who is rumoured to be Lord Voldemort's child and whose mother dies during the play; and Cedric Diggory, whose tragic death is a focus of the play, and whose death is also finally accepted as a necessary condition for future peace.[95]

text: Awards and nominations[edit]

text: Original London Production[edit]

text:
Year

Award Ceremony

Category

Nominee

Result

2016

Evening Standard Theatre Awards

Best Play

Won

Best Director

John Tiffany

Nominated

Best Design

Christine Jones

Nominated

Emerging Talent Award

Anthony Boyle

Nominated

Critics' Circle Theatre Awards

Best Director

John Tiffany

Won

Best Designer

Christine Jones

Won

Most Promising Newcomer

Anthony Boyle

Won

2017

WhatsOnStage Awards

Best New Play

Won

Best Actor in a Play

Jamie Parker

Won

Best Supporting Actor in a Play

Anthony Boyle

Won

Paul Thornley

Nominated

Best Supporting Actress in a Play

Poppy Miller

Nominated

Noma Dumezweni

Won

Best Direction

John Tiffany

Won

Best Costume Design

Katrina Lindsay

Nominated

Best Set Design

Christine Jones

Won

Best Lighting Design

Neil Austin

Won

Best Video Design

Finn Ross and Ash Woodward

Won

Laurence Olivier Awards

Best New Play

Won

Best Director

John Tiffany

Won

Best Actor

Jamie Parker

Won

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Noma Dumezweni

Won

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Anthony Boyle

Won

Best Costume Design

Katrina Lindsay

Won

Best Set Design

Christine Jones

Won

Best Sound Design

Gareth Fry

Won

Best Lighting Design

Neil Austin

Won

Best Theatre Choreographer

Steven Hoggett

Nominated

Outstanding Achievement in Music

Imogen Heap

Nominated

2018

WhatsOnStage Awards

Best West End Show

Won

Best Show Poster

Won

text: Original Broadway production[edit]

text:
Year

Award

Category

Nominee

Result

Ref.

2018

Tony Awards

Best Play

Won

[96][97]

Best Actor in a Play

Jamie Parker

Nominated

Best Featured Actor in a Play

Anthony Boyle

Nominated

Best Featured Actress in a Play

Noma Dumezweni

Nominated

Best Direction of a Play

John Tiffany

Won

Best Choreography

Steven Hoggett

Nominated

Best Scenic Design in a Play

Christine Jones

Won

Best Costume Design in a Play

Katrina Lindsay

Won

Best Lighting Design in a Play

Neil Austin

Won

Best Sound Design in a Play

Gareth Fry

Won

Drama Desk Awards

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Anthony Boyle

Nominated

[98]

Outstanding Director of a Play

John Tiffany

Won

Outstanding Music in a Play

Imogen Heap

Won

Outstanding Costume Design for a Play

Katrina Lindsay

Nominated

Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play

Neil Austin

Won

Outstanding Projection Design

Finn Ross and Ash Woodward

Won

Outstanding Sound Design in a Play

Gareth Fry

Won

Outstanding Wig and Hair

Carole Hancock

Nominated

Outer Critics Circle Awards

Outstanding New Broadway Play

Won

[99]

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Anthony Boyle

Nominated

Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Imogen Heap

Nominated

Outstanding Director of a Play

John Tiffany

Won

Outstanding Choreographer

Steven Hoggett

Nominated

Outstanding Scenic Design (Play or Musical)

Christine Jones

Won

Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical)

Katrina Lindsay

Nominated

Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)

Neil Austin

Won

Outstanding Projection Design (Play or Musical)

Finn Ross and Ash Woodward

Won

Outstanding Sound Design (Play or Musical)

Gareth Fry

Won

Drama League Awards

Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play

Won

[100]

Distinguished Performance Award

Anthony Boyle

Nominated

Noma Dumezweni

Nominated


document_title: Cut the Cord

question_text: what is cut the cord by shinedown about

question_tokens: what is cut the cord by shinedown about

text: Cut the Cord

text: Release[edit]

text: The song was released on June 29, 2015 as an audio clip and single, and its accompanying music video was released the following day.

text: Song meaning[edit]

text: Through a post on the band's Facebook page, vocalist Brent Smith described "Cut the Cord" as "the statement to the world that you will not give up, you will not give in, and you refuse to fail."[2] In an interview with the American magazine Billboard, Smith said the song was "brutally honest and unapologetic." He also described it as essentially "a wake-up call reminding us all that we can control our own destiny by finding the courage and tenacity to destroy whatever it is that's holding us back."[3]

text: Track listing[edit]

text:
"Cut the Cord"
"Black Cadillac"

text: Charts[edit]

text:
Chart (2015)
Peak
position

US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[4]
4

US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[5]
34

US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[6]
1

US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[7]
10


document_title: Legal status of tattooing in the United States

question_text: how old do you have to be to get a tatto in ny

text: In the United States, there is no federal law regulating the practice of tattooing. However, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have statutory laws requiring a person receiving a tattoo be 18 years or older. This is partially based on the legal principle that a minor cannot enter into a legal contract or otherwise render informed consent for a procedure. Most states permit a person under the age of 18 to receive a tattoo with permission of a parent or guardian, but some states outright prohibit tattooing under a certain age regardless of permission, with the exception of medical necessity (such as markings placed for radiation therapy).

text: In all jurisdictions, individual tattooists may also choose to place additional restrictions based on their own moral feelings, such as refusing any clients under a specific age even with parental consent despite it being legal, or limiting the type and/or location of where they are willing to tattoo (such as refusing any work around intimate parts of the body). They may additionally refuse to perform specific artwork, including if they merely find it inappropriate or offensive, or refuse to work on a client that they suspect may be intoxicated. Artists sometimes claim their personal business restrictions are a matter of law even when it is not true, so as to avoid arguments with clients.

text:
Legal Restrictions on Tattooing & Body Modification by State

State
Minimum Age (with parent/guardian consent)
Form of Parent/Guardian Consent
Notes & Exceptions
Intoxicated/Impaired Individuals
Area of Law/Type of Penalty
Licensing & Regulation
Relevant Statute(s) and Rules

Alabama
none specified[1]
informed written consent, signed in presence of the artist/service provider or their agent[1][2]
Ear piercing exempt from Alabama body art laws & rules.[2][3]
cannot be tattooed, branded, or pierced[1][2]
Violations of Alabama Tattoo & Body Piercing laws are a class c misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $100 and/or up to 90 days imprisonment for each violation.[4]
Alabama's Department of Public Health licenses Tattoo, body piercing, & body art facilities, and sets standards for their operation.[5]
Individual tattoo artists, piercers, etc. require a permit.[2]

Ala. Code § 22-1-17A[3][6]
State Board of Health rules on Body Art Practices and Facilities.[2]

Alaska
18 (piercing excepted)[7]
parent/guardian must both give written consent and be present during the procedure[7]
Minors may be pierced with parental consent [7]
no restriction[8]

Alaska Stat. § 08.13.217[7]

Arizona
none specified[9]
parent/guardian must be physically present[9]
Minors can have their ears pierced with the written or verbal consent of a parent/guardian, can have procedures prescribed by a health care provider.[9]
no restriction[9]
Violations are a class 6 felony.[9]
There are no health regulations for tattoo shops in Arizona. [10]
Tattoos. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3721[9]

Arkansas
16[11]
parent/guardian must both give written consent and be physically present[12]
none specified[12]
cannot be tattooed, branded, or pierced.[12]

Ark. Stat. Ann. §§ 20-27-1501 et seq.[12]

California
18 (piercing excepted)[13][14]
parent/guardian must be present during procedure
Minors may have their ears pierced with parental consent.[15] They may be pierced elsewhere with parental consent, but not on their genitals or nipples. Permanent cosmetics are permitted on nipples, when done by a cosmetic technician and with parental consent.[14]
no restriction

Body Art. Cal. Health & Safety Code § 119300 to 119328[6][15]
Cal. Penal Code 653[13]

Colorado
18 Express written consent of parent or guardian[16]
parent/guardian must be present during procedure
Persons who are "noticeably impaired" cannot have body art procedures[16]

Body Artists. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-4-2101 to 2103[6]

Connecticut
none specified
permission of parent or guardian[17][18]
Minors may have their ears pierced without parental consent[17]
Tattooing may only be performed by physicians, or by registered nurses & technicians working under the supervision of a physician.[18]

no restrictions

Conn. Gen. Stat. §19a-92a,[6][18]
Conn. Gen. Stat. §19a-92g[6][17]

District of Columbia
18 (ear piercing excepted)[19]
written consent (for ear piercing)[19]
minors may have their ears pierced with written parental consent[19]
no restrictions[19]

Body Artists. DC Code § 47-2853.76d[6][19]

Delaware
18[20]
notarized written consent to the specific procedure[20]
none specified[20]
cannot be tattooed, branded, or body pierced[20]

Del. Code Ann. Title 11, Ch 5 §1114(a)[6][20]
Del. Code Ann. Title 16, Ch 2 §122(3)(w)[6]

Florida
16[21]
Must be accompanied by parent or guardian who can show proof of guardianship, both parent and minor must present photo ID, and a consent form must be notarized.[21]
for medical or dental purposes by a licensed physician or dentist[21]
no restriction

Fla. Stat. § 381.00787[6]
Fla. Stat. §381.0775 et seq.[6] Fla. Stat. §381.075[6]

Georgia
18 (body piercing excepted)[22]
For body piercing: prior written consent of parent/guardian[23]
Minors may have their ears pierced without parental consent[23]
Minors may be body pierced with written parental consent[23]
Physicians and Osteopaths or technicians working under their direct supervision can give minors tattoos or produce scars for "medical or cosmetic purposes."[22]
No one can be tattooed within an inch of their eye socket.[24]

no restrictions

Ga. Code § 31-40-1 to 31-40-10[6]
Ga. Code § 16-12-5[6]
Ga. Code § 16-5-71.1[6]

Hawaii
none specified[25]
written consent of parent/guardian[25]

Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 321-13[6]
Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 321-379[6]

Idaho
18[26]
Written informed consent of parent/guardian, executed in the presence of the person performing the procedure, or their agent/employee.[26]
Minors can have their ears pierced without parental consent.[6]
Piercing for medical procedures exempt.[6]

no restrictions

Idaho Code § 18-1523 (2004)[6]

Illinois
18 (body piercings excepted)[27]
Written consent of parent/guardian (for body piercings)[27]
Minors cannot be present in places where tattooing or body piercing is done except in the presence of a parent/guardian.[27]
Minors can have their ears pierced without parent/guardian consent.[27]

no restrictions

Ill. Stat. 720 §5/12-10.1[6]
Ill. Stat. 410 §54/1 t0 54/999[6]

Indiana
none specified[28]
Parent/guardian must both be present during the procedure and provide written permission.[28]
Minors may have their ears pierced without parental consent.[28]
no restrictions

Ind. Code Ann. §35-42-2-7[6][28]
Ind. Code Ann. §16-19-3-4.1[6][29]

Iowa
18[30]
n/a - minors cannot be tattooed[30]
Body piercing is not regulated by state law in Iowa, however county or city laws may regulate it.[31]
no restrictions

Iowa Code §135.37[6]
Iowa Code §135.37[6]

Kansas
16[32]
Parent/guardian must give written consent, written consent must be notarized, and the parent/guardian must be present during the procedure.[32]
Minors may have their ears pierced[33]
no restrictions

Kan. Stat. Ann. §65-1953[6]
Kan. Stat. Ann. §65-1940 to 65-1954[6]

Kentucky
16
Parent/guardian must give written, notarized consent.[34]
none (ear piercing also requires written, notarized consent).[35]

Ky. Rev. Stat. §211.760[6]
Ky. Rev. Stat. §194A.050; 211.760[6]

Louisiana
16
Parent or guardian must consent, and their presence during the procedure is required for tattoos, but not for body piercings.[36]

no restrictions

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:93.2[6]
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:2831 et seq.[6]

Maine
18 (piercings excepted)[37]
For body piercings: prior legal consent of parent/guardian.[38]
Maine law does not require parent/guardian consent for ear piercing[39]
no restrictions

Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. Title 32 § 4201-4329[6]

Maryland
none specified[40]
written consent, which must be retained for 3 years.
Piercing of the ear lobe is exempt[41]
no restriction
Health Department Regulations
A license is not required, but any person performing tattooing or piercing must comply with all the relevant health code regulations[40]
COMAR 10.06.01.02 and 10.06.01.06

Massachusetts
18 (except body piercing other than genitalia)[42]
Minors cannot receive tattoo, branding, or scarification at all. For piercing of areas other than the genitalia, a parent may provide identification and sign the consent document.[42]
Physicians performing for treatment reasons and ear piercing are exempt from regulation.[42]
no restriction
County Health Department regulates body art, but all follow a model regulation set by the state.
Artists must have a permit, and establishments are subject to following specific health department regulations[42]
Model Regulations for Body Art Establishments[42]

Michigan
none specified[43]
Written, informed consent of parent/guardian. Must be executed (signed) in the presences of the person performing the procedure, or their employee.[43]

cannot be tattooed, branded, or body pierced.[43]

Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.13101 to 333.13112[44]

Minnesota
18 (piercings excepted)[45]
For piercings: presence of parent/guardian and a consent form are both required.[45]
Minors cannot be tattooed. They can be body pierced, but not in the nipples or genitals. Branding, scarification, suspension, subdermal implantation, microdermal, and tongue bifurcation are also prohibited for minors.[45]
cannot have any body art procedures.[45]

Minnesota Statutes 146B.07[45]

Mississippi
18
n/a - minors cannot be tattooed
piercing also prohibited except for the outer perimeter or lobe of the ear.
no restriction

Miss.Code Ann. §73-61

Missouri
none specified[46]
For both piercings and tattoos, parent/guardian must sign written consent in the presence of the person performing the procedure, or their employee.[46]

cannot be tattooed, branded or body pierced.[46]
violations are a misdemeanor, punishable with a fine of up to $500 (more for repeat offenses)[46]
The state director of the division of professional registration licenses all body artists, and sets rules & regulations for the operation of body art establishments.[47]
Mo. Rev. Stat. §324.520[46]

Montana
none specified[48]
Parent or guardian must give "explicit, in-person" consent.[48] Montana administrative rules also require that the parent/guardian be present throughout the procedure.[49]

cannot be tattooed or body pierced.[49]
A person who tattoos or body pierces a minor without parent/guardian consent is guilty of Unlawful transactions with children, punishable by a fine of up to $500 or six months in county jail, or both.[48]
Other violations of Montana body art laws are a misdemeanor, with punishments ranging from a fine of $50–100 for a first offense to $300 and/or 90 days in county jail for third and subsequent offense.[50]

Montana's Department of Health and Safety licenses and regulates body art establishments.[51] Local health boards may establish their own licensing and regulatory schemes in lieu of the state department's.[52]
Mont. Code Ann. §45-5-623[48]
Mont. Code Ann. §50-48-101 to 110[53]
Mont. Code Ann. §50-48-201 to 209[54]

Nebraska
none specified[55]
written consent, must be present during procedure
Piercing does not include the external parts of the ear[56]
No restrictions

Nebraska Revised Statute 38-1008, 38-1009, 38-1010, 38-1011, 38-1060, 38-10,165

Nevada
n/a[6]
n/a[6]
Nevada state law does not regulate tattoos, piercings, or other body art. Regional health districts may regulate the practice. The southern Nevada Health District, for example, does not allow minors below the age of 14 to be tattooed, and requires a parent or guardian to provide written consent and be present during the procedure for 14- to 18-year-olds. The southern Nevada district also bans tattoos on those who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.[57]
n/a[6]

n/a[6]

New Hampshire
18 (piercings excepted)[58]
For piercings: parent/guardian must both sign written consent and be present during the procedure.
Minors cannot be tattooed or branded. They may be pierced with parent/guardian consent.[58] Minors may have their ears pierced without parent/guardian consent.[59]
no restrictions

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 314[6]

New Jersey
none specified[60]
written permission of parent/guardian is required for tattooing and body piercing.[60]
Parent/guardian must be present and sign written consent for ear piercings as well as for body piercing. Minors cannot have genital piercings even with parent/guardian consent.[61]
no restrictions
no restrictions
no restrictions
N.J. Stat. Ann. §2C:40-21
N.J.A.C. 8:27-1 et seq.
N.J. Stat. Ann. §26-1A-7[6]

New Mexico
none specified[62]
Written consent and presence during the procedure.
Medical procedures by physicians and ear piercing are exempt[63]
no restrictions
Administrative Regulations set by the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
All body artists are required to be licensed through the state, and are subject to regulations from the Board
Body Art Safe Practices Act. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 61-17B et seq.,[63] N.M. Administrative Code 16.36 et seq.[62]

New York
18 (piercings excepted) [64]
Minors cannot be tattooed with parent/guardian consent. For piercings: parent/guardian must give written consent, signed in presence of the body artist or body art establishment owner.[65]
Written parental consent is not required for ear piercings.[66]
no restrictions

New York Public Health Law, Article 4-A[6][65]
N.Y. Public Health Law §460-466[6]
N.Y. Penal Law § 260.21[6]

North Carolina
18 (piercings excepted)[67]
Minors cannot be tattooed, even with parent/guardian consent. "Prior consent" of parent/guardian is required for body piercings.[67]
Minors may have their ears pierced without parental consent.[67]
no restrictions

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-283[68]
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-400[69]

North Dakota
none specified[70]
Parent/guardian must be present during the procedure and give written consent.[70]

cannot get tattoos or other body art[71]

N.D. Code §23-01-35[72]
N.D. Code §12.1-31-13[6][70]

Ohio
none specified[73]
Parent/guardian must both sign a consent form and "appear in person at the business at the time the procedure is performed."[73]
none - parent/guardian consent and presence is also required for ear piercings.[73]
no restrictions

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §3730.01 to 3730.99[6][73]

Oklahoma
18 (piercings excepted)[74]
Minors cannot be tattooed, even with parent/guardian consent. For piercings: parent/guardian must both give written consent and be present during the procedure.[74]
Ear piercing is not governed/restricted by Oklahoma law.[74]
Scleral tattooing is illegal.[74]

cannot be tattooed.[74]

Okla. Stat. Title 21 §842.1, 842.2, 842.3[6]

Oregon
18 (piercings excepted)[75]
For piercings: parent/guardian must give written consent and present proof of identity.[76][77]
Minors can only be tattooed with the authorization of a physician.[75]
Scarification and dermal implants are prohibited[78]
Persons with sunburns or skin diseases or disorders cannot be tattooed or pierced.[75][77]
Minors cannot be pierced on the genitals or nipples, even with parent/guardian consent.[76]
Piercing on testes, deep shaft (corpus cavernosa), uvula, eyelids and sub-clavicle are all prohibited.[77]

cannot be tattooed or pierced.[75][77]
Violations of Oregon body art laws are a misdemeanor.[79]
Violations of Health Licensing Office rules are fined (various amounts).[80]

Both body artists and body art establishments are licensed by the Oregon Health Licensing Office.[81] With the assistance of a Board of Body Art practitioners, the Health Licensing Office also sets detailed rules and regulations for body art.[82]
Or. Rev. Stat. § 690.350 et seq
Or. Rev. Stat. § 690.401 to 410
Or. Rev. Stat. § 679.500[6]
Health Licensing Office Rules, especially Divisions 900, 905, 915 & 920[82]

Pennsylvania
none specified[83]
parent/guardian must both give consent and be present during the procedure.[83]

no restrictions

Pa. Cons. Stat. Title 18 § 6311[6][83]

Rhode Island
18 (piercings excepted)[84][85]
Minors cannot be tattooed.[84] For piercings: parent/guardian must both give consent and be present for the procedure.[85]

no restrictions
Tattooing a minor is a criminal offense (misdemeanor), maximum fine $300[84]
Tattooing and body art are regulated by the department of health, artists must be registered.[85]
RI Gen L § 23-1-39[85]
RI Gen L § 11-9-15[84]

South Carolina
18 (piercings excepted)[86][87]
Minors cannot be tattooed.[86] For piercings: parent/guardian must either give written, notarized consent or be present during the procedure.[87]
Head, face, and neck tattoos are illegal.[86]
cannot be tattooed or body pierced[86][88]
Under the Health Code, persons violating restrictions on tattooing and body piercing are guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon conviction, they may be fined up to $2500 or imprisoned for a year, or both.[86][87]
Tattoo and body piercing facilities are regulated by the Department of Health and Environmental Control. Tattoo facilities are licensed, body piercing facilities require a permit, and artists must be registered[89][90]
S.C. Code § 44-32-10 to 44-32-120[88]
S.C. Code § 44-34-10 to 44-34-110[91]

South Dakota
none specified[92]
Parent/guardian must sign a consent form.[92]

cannot be tattooed or pierced[93][94]
Tattooing a minor is a class 2 misdemeanor.[95]
Tattooing and Body Piercing are governed by Department of Health rules.[96] Municipalities may set stricter regulations, and have the authority to license body artists.[95]
S.D. Codified Laws Ann. §26-10-19[92]
S.D. Laws § 9-34-17[95]

Tennessee
18 (piercings excepted)[97][98]
For tattoos that cover an existing tattoo (see Notes & Exceptions): Parent/Guardian must be present during the procedure.[97]
For piercings: Parent/Guardian must give written consent, be present during the procedure.[98]

Minors over the age of sixteen may be tattooed to cover up an existing tattoo, with parent/guardian consent.[97]

Minors who lie about their age to be tattooed are guilty of a "delinquent act," are required to pay a fine of $50–$250 and serve at least 20 hours of community service.[97]
Tattooing a minor is a class a misdemeanor,[97] breach of body piercing law is a class b misdemeanor.[99]

Tattoo artists and body piercers are licensed by the state department of health, tattoo shops require a certificate from the local health department.[100][101]
Tenn. Code §§ 62-38-201-310[102]

Texas
18 (piercings excepted)[103][104]
For body piercings and for covering existing tattoos (see Notes & Exceptions): Parent/guardian must be present during procedure, sign an affidavit[103][104]
Ear piercing is exempt from body piercing statutes[105]
Minors may, with parent/guardian consent, be tattooed to cover up an existing tattoo that has offensive, gang-related, or drug-related content, or "other words, symbols, or markings that the person's parent or guardian considers would be in the best interest of the person to cover"[103]
Tongue splitting prohibited.[106]

Cannot be tattooed or pierced.[103][107]
Misrepresenting one's age to get a tattoo, or to get a piercing without parental consent, is a class B misdemeanor[103][104]
Violations of Texas tattooing & body piercing statute are a Class A misdemeanor, with each day of violation counting as a separate offense.[108]
Health Commissioner can impose a fine of up to $5000 on artists & shops for each violation[109]

Tattoo artists and body piercers must be registered with the Texas Department of Health[110] Tattoo and body piercing shops must be licensed[111]
Texas Health and Safety Code Ann. §146[112]

Utah
none specified[113]
Parent/guardian must be present during the procedure, give written permission, and provide proof of identity.[113]
Parental consent not required by law for ear piercing[113]

Tattooing or body piercing a minor is a class b misdemeanor, shops can be fined up to $1000 for each violation.[113]

Utah Code Ann. §76-10-2201[6]

Vermont
none specified[114]

Tattooists and body piercers must be registered.[114]
Vt. Stat. Ann. Title 26 §4101 to 4109[6][115]

Virginia
none specified[116]
Parent/Guardian must be present during the procedure.[116]
Virginia law does not limit minors' ability to have their ears pierced.[116]

Tattooing or body piercing a minor is a class 1 misdemeanor[116]
Tattoo artists and body piercers, as well as the operators of tattoo and body piercing establishments, are licensed by the state.[117][118]
Civic/local governments are empowered to regulate tattoo and body piercing establishments.[119]

Va. Code §54.1-700 et seq.
Va. Code §15.2-912
Va. Code § 18.2-371.3.[6]

Washington
18 (piercings excepted)[120]

cannot have tattoos, body piercings, or other body art.[121]

Wash. Code §26.28.085[120]
Wash. Code § 18.300[122]
Wash. Code § 246-145-001 to 060[123]
Wash. Code §70.54[124]

West Virginia
none specified[125]
parent/guardian must give written consent[125]

All persons receiving a tattoo must attest they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.[125]

Tattoo shop owners and body piercing studios must register with local board of health, and must be registered as a business with the state[126][127][128]
W. Va. Code §16-37
W. Va. Code §16-38[129]

Wisconsin
18[130]
n/a (tattooing not permitted under 18)
Physicians in the course of professional practice are exempt
no restriction
Tattooing a minor or even offering to do so is subject to a fine of up to $200
Artists must be satisfy training requirements and obtain a license from the health department. Establishments are subject to inspection and licensing[131]
Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations 948.70 and 252.235

Wyoming
none specified[132]
Verbal consent, presence during procedure.[132]
Procedures performed under the supervision of a licensed physician, and piercing of the ear, do not count as body art for this law.
no restriction[132]
Misdemeanor criminal offense, punishable by fine and prison time[132]

Wyoming Statute §14-3-107[132]