Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, October 14, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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modicum
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| Article of the Day | |
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 FunicularsA funicular is a steep passenger railway whose cars are pulled by cables, often up the side of a mountain. Funiculars usually have two counterbalanced cars, so that as one ascends, the other descends. The funicular must therefore have at least one section of track where the cars can pass each other. Such railways are found around the world. Some are scenic attractions, while others are used in public transport. Which funicular was repeatedly destroyed by the volcano upon which it was built? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Massacre in Qibya (1953)In 1953, in response to escalating border clashes with Palestinians, Israeli forces raided the Jordanian West Bank village of Qibya, which was believed to be harboring militants. Codenamed "Operation Shoshana," the attacks led to the deaths of more than 60 Palestinians and the demolition of numerous houses, as well as a school and a mosque. The United Nations condemned Israel's actions. What future prime minister of Israel was the commander of the special forces unit that carried out the attack? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 King James II of England (1633)King James II was the last Catholic monarch to rule over England, Scotland, and Ireland, reigning from 1685 to 1688. The birth of his son, a possible Catholic heir, brought about the Glorious Revolution, in which Protestants deposed James in favor of Mary II and William of Orange. The belief that James was the legitimate ruler became known as Jacobitism, and Jacobites thereafter attempted to restore the Stuart line to the thrones of England and Scotland. Who protected James when he fled England? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Connoisseur, n.: A specialist who knows everything about something and nothing about anything else.Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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cowboy up— To act tough and determined, like a stereotypical cowboy. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Kenka Matsuri (2022)The Kenka Matsuri (Roughhouse Festival) takes place October 14-15 in Shirahama, Japan, and thousands flock to the shrine where the festival is held. The roughhousing starts as teams of mikoshi-bearers jostle each other for position in the procession to the Matsubara Hachiman Shrine. Once they reach the shrine, they spin their heavy burden, raise it up high in the air, and let it crash to the ground—difficult maneuvers designed to thrill the crowd. The mikoshi engage in a final battle in an open field, where thousands of cheering spectators take sides and egg them on. More... | |