Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, October 26, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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countermand
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| Article of the Day | |
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 DaedalusIn Greek mythology, Daedalus was a brilliant craftsman whose inventions often went awry. On Crete, he inadvertently helped create the fearsome Minotaur. At the order of King Minos, he built a labyrinth to contain the monster, but Theseus successfully navigated it to kill the beast. While imprisoned by Minos, Daedalus crafted wings of wax and feathers so he and his son Icarus could escape. Sadly, Icarus fell to his death when the sun melted his wings. Why had Daedalus originally fled to Crete? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 USA PATRIOT Act Signed into Law (2001)Enacted quickly and with little opposition in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the sweeping USA PATRIOT Act dramatically enhanced the powers of law enforcement and intelligence-gathering agencies within the US. The bill has since come under increasing scrutiny and criticism, and aspects of it have faced legal challenges in the courts. After it was renewed in 2006, most of its sections became permanent. What section of the act has riled librarians in particular? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Domenico Scarlatti (1685)Although he lived during the Baroque era, Scarlatti, an Italian composer and virtuoso harpsichordist, was extremely influential in the development of the Classical period of music. He is best known for his composition of 555 keyboard sonatas, written for the Spanish queen Maria Bárbara, whom he had tutored as a child and in whose service he remained for much of his life. Scarlatti is said to have engaged in a keyboard competition with what other composer as a young man? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 All nature wears one universal grin.Henry Fielding (1707-1754) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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eat, drink, and be merry— A call for others to enjoy themselves, usually in the context of a party or other festive gathering. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Austria National Day (2022)National Day commemorates the day in 1955 when Soviet occupation forces left Austria after taking control in 1945. The Austrian State Treaty of May 15, 1955, ensured that Austrians would regain sovereignty over their country on July 27. By October 26, it was once again a free, independent country. Although it is a national holiday in Austria, people do not get the day off from school or work, mainly because of the idea that one's country is best served by working. Schools hold special presentations, and the president delivers a speech. More... | |