Latest news with #Dittmer
USA Today
17 hours ago
- USA Today
FBI returns 16th-century stolen document signed by conquistador Hernán Cortés to Mexico
A 16th-century document signed by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés has been found decades after it was stolen from Mexico's national archives and was repatriated to the country on Aug. 13, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced. The "priceless cultural artifact" was returned to the government of Mexico in a ceremony, according to the FBI. Special Agent Jessica Dittmer, a member of the FBI's Art Crime Team, said the document was the original manuscript page signed by Cortés on Feb. 20, 1527. Authorities believe the manuscript page was stolen in the 1980s or 1990s, according to the FBI. Dittmer noted that no one will be charged in connection with the theft because the document had changed hands various times in the decades since its disappearance. "Pieces like this are considered protected cultural property and represent valuable moments in Mexico's history, so this is something that the Mexicans have in their archives for the purpose of understanding history better," Dittmer said in a statement. The manuscript page is the second Cortés document the FBI has returned to the Mexican government, according to the agency. In July 2023, the FBI returned a letter — which dates back to April 1527 — from Cortés authorizing a purchase of rose sugar. The FBI said the repatriation of the document was a result of collaboration between the agency, the New York City Police Department, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Mexican government. For decades, Mexico has sought the repatriation of cultural artifacts, including a delicate headdress made of iridescent quetzal feathers thought to have belonged to Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II, currently housed in an Austrian museum. Many ended up in US museums: Nazis seized hundreds of artworks from anti-Hitler comic. Manuscript pages were discovered missing in 1993 Before the document went missing, the FBI said Mexico's General Archive of the Nation had counted the manuscript in a collection of historical documents that were signed by Cortés. While archivists were microfilming the collection in October 1993 for inventory, they discovered that 15 pages of the manuscript were missing. It is believed that the manuscript page was stolen between 1985 and 1993 due to a wax numbering system used by archivists in the mid-1980s, according to Dittmer. The system also helped investigators find and authenticate the document, the FBI said. In 2024, the Mexican government asked for the assistance of the FBI's Art Crime Team in locating the manuscript page, according to the agency. The FBI said further investigation and research revealed that the document was likely in the United States. Investigators then worked with the FBI Atlanta Field Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York to find the relevant records and track down the missing manuscript. The FBI is still searching for the other missing pages and has urged the public to contact their New York Field Office with any potential information on the documents. Cambodian artifacts: Family of late billionaire agrees to return 33 stolen artifacts to Cambodia Manuscript page provides details on payments for supplies The manuscript page "outlines the payment of pesos of common gold for expenses in preparation for discovery of the spice lands, so it really gives a lot of flavor as to the planning and preparation for unchartered territory back then," Dittmer said. She added that the document is considered historically significant because it contains a complete account of logistical and planning details tied to Cortés' journey through what eventually became the territory of the Spanish Empire, known as New Spain. The territory stretched from present-day Washington state to Louisiana and down through Latin America, according to the FBI. Cortés landed in Mexico with a small army in 1519 when he formed alliances with local groups that opposed the Aztec empire, which helped him capture the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan — modern-day Mexico City — just two years later. The date of the document, Feb. 20, 1527, was days before one of Cortés' top lieutenants was appointed co-governor of the conquered territory. It was a key year for the formation of royal and religious institutions that would rule over the indigenous peoples of Mexico until the War of Independence. Contributing: Reuters
USA Today
19 hours ago
- USA Today
FBI returns 16th-century stolen document signed by conquistador Hernán Cortés to Mexico
A 16th-century document signed by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés has been found decades after it was stolen from Mexico's national archives and was repatriated to the country on Aug. 13, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced. The "priceless cultural artifact" was returned to the government of Mexico in a ceremony, according to the FBI. Special Agent Jessica Dittmer, a member of the FBI's Art Crime Team, said the document was the original manuscript page signed by Cortés on Feb. 20, 1527. Authorities believe the manuscript page was stolen in the 1980s or 1990s, according to the FBI. Dittmer noted that no one will be charged in connection with the theft because the document had changed hands various times in the decades since its disappearance. "Pieces like this are considered protected cultural property and represent valuable moments in Mexico's history, so this is something that the Mexicans have in their archives for the purpose of understanding history better," Dittmer said in a statement. The manuscript page is the second Cortés document the FBI has returned to the Mexican government, according to the agency. In July 2023, the FBI returned a letter — which dates back to April 1527 — from Cortés authorizing a purchase of rose sugar. The FBI said the repatriation of the document was a result of collaboration between the agency, the New York City Police Department, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Mexican government. For decades, Mexico has sought the repatriation of cultural artifacts, including a delicate headdress made of iridescent quetzal feathers thought to have belonged to Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II, currently housed in an Austrian museum. Manuscript pages were discovered missing in 1993 Before the document went missing, the FBI said Mexico's General Archive of the Nation had counted the manuscript in a collection of historical documents that were signed by Cortés. While archivists were microfilming the collection in October 1993 for inventory, they discovered that 15 pages of the manuscript were missing. It is believed that the manuscript page was stolen between 1985 and 1993 due to a wax numbering system used by archivists in the mid-1980s, according to Dittmer. The system also helped investigators find and authenticate the document, the FBI said. In 2024, the Mexican government asked for the assistance of the FBI's Art Crime Team in locating the manuscript page, according to the agency. The FBI said further investigation and research revealed that the document was likely in the United States. Investigators then worked with the FBI Atlanta Field Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York to find the relevant records and track down the missing manuscript. The FBI is still searching for the other missing pages and has urged the public to contact their New York Field Office with any potential information on the documents. Manuscript page provides details on payments for supplies The manuscript page "outlines the payment of pesos of common gold for expenses in preparation for discovery of the spice lands, so it really gives a lot of flavor as to the planning and preparation for unchartered territory back then," Dittmer said. She added that the document is considered historically significant because it contains a complete account of logistical and planning details tied to Cortés' journey through what eventually became the territory of the Spanish Empire, known as New Spain. The territory stretched from present-day Washington state to Louisiana and down through Latin America, according to the FBI. Cortés landed in Mexico with a small army in 1519 when he formed alliances with local groups that opposed the Aztec empire, which helped him capture the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan — modern-day Mexico City — just two years later. The date of the document, Feb. 20, 1527, was days before one of Cortés' top lieutenants was appointed co-governor of the conquered territory. It was a key year for the formation of royal and religious institutions that would rule over the indigenous peoples of Mexico until the War of Independence. Contributing: Reuters
UPI
2 days ago
- UPI
FBI returns stolen 500-year-old Hernan Cortes manuscript to Mexico
U.S. investigators located a stolen and nearly 500-year-old document written and signed by conquistador Hernan Cortes and returned it to the Mexican government, the FBI announced on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of the FBI Aug. 13 (UPI) -- A stolen manuscript written by notorious Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortés in 1527 has been returned to the Mexican government, the FBI announced on Wednesday. The manuscript was written on parchment and signed by Cortés with an indicated date of Feb. 20, 1527. "This is an original manuscript page that was actually signed by Hernan Cortez," FBI special agent Jessica Dittmer said in a news release. The manuscript "outlines the payment of pesos of common gold for expenses in preparation for discovery of the spice lands," Dittmer said. "It gives a lot of flavor as to the planning and preparation for uncharted territory back then," she added. Dittmer is a member of the FBI's Art Crime Team and part of the joint FBI-New York Police Department Major Theft Task Force. The document likely was stolen sometime between 1985 and October 1993, but investigators recovered and returned it to the Mexican government, according to the FBI. The document contains a wax numbering that archivists used between 1985 and 1986, which helped investigators to narrow the timeline for its theft. It was part of a larger collection, which caretakers with Mexico's national archives in October 1993 discovered was missing 15 pages, including the just-returned manuscript. Mexican authorities last year sought the FBI's help in recovering the manuscript. Investigators with the FBI, NYPD and the office of the U.S. Attorney for Southern New York determined the document was located within the continental United States and tracked down its location. The investigative team "worked through additional logistical steps to ensure that all the stakeholders formerly and currently in possession of the manuscript page received all necessary information to prepare for our seizure of the document," Dittmer said. Those steps included having all former and current stakeholders sign away their claims to the document, which enabled the FBI to take legal possession, verify its authenticity and return it to its rightful owners in Mexico. The document has exchanged many hands since it went missing, so no charges will be filed against past stakeholders, according to the FBI. It's the second such document created by Cortés that the FBI has located and returned to Mexico. The bureau in July 2023 returned a letter that details the purchase of rose sugar that Cortés wrote in the 16th century. Cortés is a significant and controversial historical figure who explored Central America and defeated the Aztec empire leader Montezuma, resulting in Spanish King Charles I making Cortés the governor of New Spain (Mexico) in 1522. Rock musician Neil Young in 1975 wrote and recorded a song about the conquistador, "Cortez the Killer," with his band, Crazy Horse. The song remains a staple of Young's live performances.
ABC News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Court says community's anxiety over Dittmer gold mine expansion 'misconceived'
A court has largely dismissed concerns from Queensland's environment department and nearby residents over the proposed expansion of a gold mine in the Whitsunday region. Ballymore Resources believes it can extract 300,000 tonnes of gold, copper and silver ore from the Dittmer underground mine, about 20 kilometres west of Proserpine, which has sat disused since the 1980s. The mining company has been conducting drilling and exploration works on the site for the past five years. Community opposition to the gold mine project has centred around concerns of damage to nearby Kelsey Creek and the wider Great Barrier Reef, as well as the impact on threatened species around the township. Land Court of Queensland president Peta Stilgoe on Friday found the risk of water contamination and other ecological impacts was low and recommended the project in a judgement. Ms Stilgoe found that the company's existing environmental approval included regular monitoring of water quality and surveys for threatened species. A parliamentary petition to Queensland's environment minister posted in May warned about a lack of "scientific data to ensure no irreversible harm" to nearby Kelsey Creek and garnered more than 900 signatures. An analysis of waste rock at the Dittmer gold mine found it was "non-acid forming," significantly reducing the risk of contaminated water running off into nearby water sources. In her findings, Ms Stilgoe said she understood Dittmer residents were used to living in a "rural idyll", but Ballymore's compliance with the environmental conditions should ensure a "peaceful coexistence". In a statement, the Whitsunday Conservation Council said it had "additional information … not considered during the hearings", which it would take to the resources minister. The mining company said it wanted to carry out underground blasting at night. Ms Stilgoe said she accepted some blasting would impact nearby residents but that some night-time explosions were justified. Concluding, Ms Stilgoe said the evidence before her "suggests that most of the residents' concerns are misconceived." She also dismissed concerns from the state's Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) about how far water monitoring equipment should be placed from the mine. The recommendation will now go to the state government in two parts. The mining lease will go to Queensland's Resources Minister Dale Last for approval. The lease's associated environmental authority, which includes all the environmental conditions Ballymore will be required to follow, will go to DETSI for consideration. A spokesperson for Mr Last said he was "carefully considering the Land Court's recommendation".
Chicago Tribune
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Sandburg's Gabby Dittmer, who's headed to DePaul, lays down law with hat trick against Stagg. ‘Definitely special.'
Gabby Dittmer wasn't ready to play her last soccer game for Sandburg. Dittmer, a senior forward and a standout player in all four years for the Eagles, has decided to bypass some opportunities to play in college. She plans instead to study law at DePaul. That meant Wednesday's playoff opener could have been the end. Dittmer was determined to make sure it would not be. 'It's definitely special for me,' she said. 'I've been playing soccer my whole life and obviously I love soccer, so I was very excited for this game. You never know what's going to come next. It could be nothing or it could be another game. 'I really wanted another game.' Dittmer extended her final season by turning in one of the best performances of her career, recording a hat trick to lead Sandburg to a 3-1 win over district rival Stagg in a Class 3A Joliet Central Regional semifinal. Alanna Noone made six saves for the eighth-seeded Eagles (5-9-4), who avenged a 1-0 shootout loss to the Chargers on May 6. Maeve Durkin led a strong defensive effort. The Eagles will take on top-seeded Lincoln-Way East (16-3-1) — a 9-0 winner over Joliet Central — at 5 p.m. Friday in the regional final. Sandburg played the Griffins tough in a 1-0 loss on May 8. Justyna Palenica scored Wednesday on a free kick for ninth-seeded Stagg (7-12-2), while Maritza Alvarez made five saves. Dittmer, meanwhile, struggled mightily with her choice to give up soccer. 'It was probably one of the hardest decisions I've ever made,' she said. 'I love soccer so much. My family, my teammates and my coaches all put so much time into me and helped me get to where I am, so it's a really hard thing to walk away from. 'But for me, education came first when I wanted to think about my future.' Dittmer came out on a mission Wednesday night. She scored in the 16th minute, then added a second goal just over five minutes later by juking a defender and ripping in a 20-yard shot. Durkin has grown accustomed to seeing her teammate pull off moves like that. 'She's always been a special player,' Durkin said of Dittmer. 'Since freshman year, we've been playing together, and every time, her skill and her drive to want the ball and want to score the ball, it's always there. She has the energy 100% of the time.' Things later got a bit scary for the Eagles. Palenica scored with five seconds left in the first half. Then, with Stagg building momentum early in the second half, a red card against the Eagles put them down a player for the final 23 minutes. Dittmer, though, took the pressure off by completing her hat trick, converting a 25-yard shot with 18:11 to go. It was her 12th goal of the season and 52nd of her career. Sandburg coach Tom Kubowicz has enjoyed watching all 52 goals. 'It's going to be tough to replace her,' Kubowicz said. 'She doesn't need a lot of space. If you give her a chance to shoot, she's going to shoot and there's a good chance it's going to go in.' As for the future, Dittmer believes being a soccer player has prepared her for a tough academic journey. 'Soccer helped make me a very disciplined person and helped teach me hard work,' she said. 'I wanted to stay busy, challenge myself and be on a good career path. 'Everything I learned from soccer, I want to bring it to school, and I think it's a very good way for me to keep going with the hardworking mindset.' As for soccer, she's going out in style. 'I'm definitely taking everything in and trying to enjoy it,' Dittmer said. 'Ending in high school, with these girls and these coaches who have all meant so much to me, it's the perfect ending for me.'
